Lucas Scott drove through Tree Hill excited. He and Lindsey had arrived back late last night. He dialed his best friends number and got her voicemail.
"Hey Hales it's Luke. Listen i'm back home and I want to see you guys. i'll stop by around 5. See yeah."
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Brooke had the kids sitting at the kitchen table doing crafts when Nathan walked in still in his gym clothes. He collapsed into the nearest chair panting and drenched with sweat. Allie scrunched up her nose.
"Uncle Nathan you need a bath."
He smiled. "I know I do Al. I just need to catch my breath first."
Brooke handed him a cold glass of water. "Are you sure that you aren't pushing yourself to hard?"
"Don't worry i'm being careful. What have you guys been up to today?"
Jamie held up his paper bag puppet. "We made puppets."
Nathan smiled. "Cool."
Allie smiled. "And I read To Kill a Mockingbird to Jamie."
"That was nice of you."
Brooke grinned at them. "Ok why don't you two go upstairs and play until dinner is ready?"
They nodded and left the room. Nathan set his water down and smiled.
"Allie reads well for a 4 year old."
"I swear she came out reading."
"She's pretty good at basketball too."
Brooke shrugged and started to clear the table. "I never saw her play before but she's good at dance."
Nathan cocked an eyebrow. "Brooke. Your daughter is 4 years old, her birthday is a month before Jamie's, she has blonde hair with blue eye, she's smart, loves books, is sweet, protective, and happens to be incredible at basketball. She's Luke's daughter."
Brooke sighed and sat down. "How long have you known?"
"About a week. Why didn't you just tell me?"
"I didn't know how. Luke and I left things on terrible terms."
"Does he know?"
"He knew that I was pregnant but he jumped to conclusions and thought that Chris Keller was the father. He pretty much called me a whore and reminded me that he was not the only guy that I slept with."
Nathan sighed. "You're sure that she is Luke's?"
"The timing says she has to be. And the older she gets the more she looks and acts like him."
"You'll have to tell him eventually."
"I know. I did put his name on the birth certificate and her whole name is Allison Haley Davis Scott. I just tell her to go by Davis unless I tell her otherwise. You're not going to tell Lucas, are you?"
He shook his head. "I'm not saying a word. I know that you will tell him when the time is right."
"Thank you Nathan."
He gave her a sweaty hug and she slapped him playfully.
"You do need a shower."
"I'm on it." He walked up the stairs and yelled. "Who wants a hug from the smelly monster?"
She heard little squeals and smiled.
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Haley had just pulled the lasagna from the oven when she heard a knock on the door. She opened it and found Lucas and Lindsey.
"Luke!"
He hugged her tight then set her down. "Hey Hales. Something smells good."
"I made lasagna. There is plenty if you two want to join us?"
Lindsey nodded. "Sure."
Haley set 2 more places and Luke took in the other seats.
"Who else is here?"
"Brooke. She's been staying with us for a few weeks with her little girl Allie."
Lindsey sat down. "Whose Brooke?"
Haley smiled. "Brooke Davis. We all went to High School together. She's a designer."
Brooke came out of the laundry room and almost dropped the basket she was carrying.
"Lucas?"
He smiled. "Hey Cheery."
Brooke gave him an awkward one armed hug. "Good to see you."
"Yeah you too. This is my fiancé Lindsey."
Brooke held out her hand. "Hi..." She pointed to Lindsey's top. "You're wearing me. Clothes over Bros is my line."
Lindsey grinned. "Yeah. I love it. I also love your new Allie-James line at Macy's. I bought every top and pair of jeans in the collection."
"Well stay tuned there's more to come. I just signed a contract for 3 more lines."
"Cool. So are you opening a store here in Tree Hill."
"Yeah I actually bought Karen's Café. I've been renovating it."
Just then Allie came into the room with Jamie. As soon as Jamie saw his uncle he jumped at him.
"Uncle Lucas!"
Lucas smiled and hugged him. "Hey Jamie."
He set Jamie back on his feet and Jamie looked at Allie.
"Allie this is my dad's brother Uncle Lucas and that is Lindsey."
Allie smiled. "Hi Uncle Lucas."
He knelt down and smiled. "Hi Allie. You are just as beautiful as your mom."
"Thank you."
Haley smiled. "Let me see hands." Both kids stuck their hands out for her to examine. "Ok sit down."
Brooke set the basket in the living room and sat down the same time as Nathan who looked at her pointedly. Once they started eating Lindsey looked at Brooke.
"So Brooke, how long are you in town for?"
"I'm moving back actually. I'm just staying with Nathan and Haley until I find a house. Which actually I just signed on one."
Haley frowned. "Seriously? I don't want you to go."
"Oh you'll love this. It's the house next door. I saw her putting out the sign and jumped on it. We move in next week."
Nathan grinned. "Congrats! It's gonna be nice keeping you close."
Lucas smiled. "What happened to New York?"
"My mom kinda ruined things for me. I just needed a change of pace. Once I got back it felt right."
Lindsey nodded. "Well when you have your opening date let me know. My friends love your clothes just as much as I do."
After dinner Lucas and Lindsey left. Nathan helped Brooke clear the table and load the dishwasher while Haley gave the kids their baths. Nathan glanced at Brooke.
"Are you ok?"
"It was less awkward then I thought it would be."
"You know you'll have to tell him if he's staying for a while."
"I know."
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A few days later Nathan walked into the Raven's gym with Allie and Jamie in tow. Skills and Lucas were sitting on the bleachers. Skills stood and smiled.
"Uh oh! It's big bad Jay Luke and Miss. Priss Allie D!"
They both ran and hugged him. Allie sat down next to Lucas and Nathan noticed just how much the two looked alike. He shook off the feeling and handed Allie her bunny.
"Ok can you two stay up here while the guys practice?"
They nodded. Lucas glanced down at the bunny in Allie's arms.
"Who is this little guy?"
Allie smiled. "This is Bunny. My Grandpa gave him to me when I was a baby."
Lucas grabbed the rabbits hand. "Hi Bunny, I'm Uncle Lucas."
Allie giggled and Luke called the players out of the locker room. After a while who other then Peyton Sawyer walked in. She smiled and Lucas and Nathan looked stunned.
"Hey guys."
Nathan hugged her then spoke. "Haley mentioned that you were coming home."
"Yeah I just needed to get a few things in order. I'm starting my own record label."
"Cool."
Lucas hugged her awkwardly. "It's good to see you P. Sawyer."
She smiled and then saw Jamie and Allie.
"Well a boy this handsome has to be named James Lucas Scott." She held her hand out to him. "I'm your Aunt Peyton."
He smiled. "Hi. This is Allie."
"Hi Allie."
Nathan chimed in. "This is Brooke's daughter."
"Brooke had a kid?"
"Yup."
Peyton dropped her voice to Skills, Lucas and Nathan. "She looks like Chris Keller."
Lucas nodded. "That's her father."
Peyton shuddered. Nathan just stayed quiet since he knew the truth. Before anyone else could speak Brooke and Haley walked in. Allie ran to her mom.
"Mommy! Uncle Nathan taught me how to dribble!"
"Wow!"
She looked and noticed Peyton. She took and deep breath, walked over and hugged her.
"Hey P. Sawyer."
Peyton smiled. "Hey B. Davis. Nice line with Macy's."
"Thanks."
She glanced at Jamie. "Are you two ready to come help me at the store?"
They both groaned and Brooke faked a sigh.
"Oh well I was going to let you help me paint and then take you to get ice cream but if you'd rather stay here..."
Allie shook her head. "We'll help!"
Jamie nodded. "Yeah. Can I get chocolate ice cream?"
"We'll see Buddy."
They waved goodbye to the others and took off.
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Brooke couldn't believe that her grand opening was nearly here. She had a few finishing touches to do but otherwise the store looked perfect. She was standing at a table organizing her perfume display when she heard the voice she hated the most.
"Well this place looks lie a bad 80's movie."
Brooke turned and saw Victoria thumbing one of her silver mannequins.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came to see what drug you from New York. Our less expensive pieces all in one tacky store."
"If you don't like it then get out."
Brooke walked to the counter and Victoria followed.
"Do you really think that you can run this business without me?"
"I have been or my lawyer not subtle enough for you. I have also increased C/B's value by 1.6 million since I cut you out of the loop."
"I am still your mother."
"Yeah and you sucked at that job too."
Victoria opened her mouth to say more when Haley walked in with the kids. Haley looked between Brooke and Victoria not knowing who Victoria was. Allie backed up until her back was on Haley's legs. Brooke sighed.
"You can go now."
Victoria wasn't giving up that easily. "Don't forget who took you in when you got pregnant with that bastard's child."
Millie came out of the office and grabbed the kids hands.
"Come on guys lets go to the park."
Haley mouthed thank you as Millie ushered the kids away from the fight. Brooke glared at her mother.
"Allison is the best decision that I ever made!"
"Well why didn't you just call Lucas Scott to take care of his child instead of burdening me with her?"
"I never asked you for anything after she was born and I paid you your money back. Now get out!"
Victoria stormed out of the store. Haley stood there stunned for a second before looking at Brooke.
"Is Lucas Allie's father?"
Brooke nodded and Haley sighed.
"I should have guessed that earlier. She looks and acts like him. Why didn't you tell me?"
Brooke sat down on one of the stools behind the counter. "He called me a whore when he found out that I was pregnant. He said that he wasn't the only guy that I ever slept with so how did he even know that it was his. He thought she was Chris Keller's. I tried to tell him the truth but he stormed away. How could I live there or raise her with him when that's what he thought of me?"
Haley sat down next to her. "I'm sorry Brooke."
"I should have told you back then. Heck I should have told you last week when Nathan figured it out."
"Nathan knew?"
"He guessed." She looked at the photo of Allie under the counter. "She does look like him."
"She does. When are you going to tell him?"
"I know I will have to soon. He does have the right to know. I just don't know how."
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"Allison Haley! We're going to be late!"
Allie skipped downstairs in her gold an turquoise dress that Brooke had made her. She had her long blonde hair curled and secured with a gold headband.
"Mommy how long do I have to stay tonight?"
"You and Jamie are staying for an hour and then Nanny Deb is going to take you to Jamie's house for a sleepover."
She nodded. They had moved into their house a few days ago. Tonight was the C/B Tree Hill grand opening. When Brooke arrived at the store she was grinning from ear to ear. Nearly a hundred people had shown up. All of her close designer friends and A-list clients came as well as all of her friends. When she walked in Haley gave her a big hug.
"Brooke this place is amazing!"
"You guys really like it?"
Peyton smiled. "It's perfect Brooke."
"Good."
She chatted with everyone. When she saw Haley looking at a dress Brooke grabbed 2 wrapped gifts behind the counter and smiled.
"Hey Hales."
Haley smiled. "This dress is amazing."
"It's yours. My gift for you and Nathan letting Allie and I stay with you."
"Brooke I can't do that."
"Oh yes you can. Also..." She handed Haley one gift and Nathan the other. "Just a little something for you two supporting me through all of this."
Haley opened her new custom C/B handbag. "Brooke! This is gorgeous!"
Nathan opened his custom C/B sneakers with his name on them. "Brooke these are awesome."
"I'm glad you guys like them. They are one of a kind."
Haley hugged her tight and then whispered hastily.
"Incoming it's your mother."
Brooke turned and Victoria Davis was standing there looking like she may spit venom. She grinded her teeth before putting on a fake smile.
"Mom. I don't believe you have met Nathan and Haley Scott?"
Victoria looked Nathan over. "Dan Scott's son. Is he still locked up or is he out on good behavior?"
Nathan's jaw dropped and Haley smiled.
"Isn't Brooke's store fabulous?"
"I take it you have never been introduced to fine fashion."
Haley just threw Brooke a look. Before anyone else could speak Peyton, Lucas, Lindsey and Millie appeared. Peyton smiled at Victoria.
"Hi Mrs. Davis. I didn't expect you to be here."
Victoria turned and swooped in on her prey. "Peyton Sawyer. You haven't changed a bit. Still built like a boy. Don't worry you'll mature eventually."
Then she turned to Lucas who held his hand out politely.
"Hello Mrs. Davis. I'm Lucas Scott. You must be so proud of Brooke."
Victoria could see where Allie go her looks from. She sneered at Lucas. "Well thank heavens my daughter's taste has improved since Dan Scott's bastard child."
Victoria walked away and Luke made a face.
"Did she just..."
Peyton nodded. "Verbally kick you in the goodies. Yeah that's her way of saying hi."
Haley placed a hand on Brooke's shoulder. "Don't worry Brooke. She can't ruin your night."
"You're right. Let's party!"
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Brooke was drawing up some sketches when Allison came running down the stairs.
"Mommy, can I go play at Jamie's?"
Brooke smiled. "Let me text Aunt Haley."
b- Al wants 2 come over and play with J. Is now a good time?
h- Of course. Send her over.
Brooke smiled at Allie. "Put on your play sneakers and go through the back gate."
"Ok."
Brooke was glad that Allie was finally had a friend her age. In New York Allie didn't have any friends. She watched as her daughter tried to tie her shoes. She grew frustrated quickly.
"Mommy, can you tie them?"
"Of course Monkey."
She tied the pink shoe laces and smiled. "Have fun with Jamie and Listen to Uncle Nathan and Aunt Haley."
"I will."
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Nathan led the kids towards the river court. Skills, Fergie, Junk and Luke were already there. Skills smiled at the kids.
"Uh oh, we got double trouble."
Allie ran up to him and high fived him. "Damn straight!"
Lucas laughed at her while Nathan shook his head.
"Allie do not say that word in front of your mom or Aunt Haley ok?"
She nodded and grabbed the ball from Fergie. She dribbled across the court while Jamie commentated.
"Davis steals the ball from Fergie. She's on the 3 point line. She shoots...she's scores!"
Allie smiled and passed the ball to Lucas. "Bring it on Uncle Lucas."
He grinned at her. "Ok Short Stuff."
He dribbled passed her and shot a 3 pointer. Allison made a face.
"Ok now it's on."
The two played a one on one game fore a while. When it was all said and done Allie beat Luke 15-12. Nathan looked at his brother.
"Nice try Buddy."
Lucas scowled and looked at Allie who was drinking water from Nathan's water bottle. "I can't believe I got beat by a little girl."
Jamie smiled. "Allie kicked your butt."
They all turned when they heard a car pull up. Allie recognized it immediately and went running as soon as it stopped.
"Aunt Millie! I beat Jamie's uncle!"
Millie smiled and hugged Allie. They walked over to the bleachers and Nathan introduced her.
"Guys this is Brooke's assistant Millicent."
Millie made a face. "Please call me Millie. Brooke asked me to pick Allie up for ballet."
Nathan handed her Allie's bag. Millie then noticed Allie's disheveled appearance.
"Allison Haley Davis Scott! Look at you. Your mom is going to flip."
Allie shrugged and looked at her scuffed up shoes. "They're just shoes Aunt Mill."
Lucas was putting things together in his head. This girl was 4 years old, had blonde hair with blue eyes, loved basketball, and her last name was Scott. He started to panic a little. Allie hugged Nathan and Jamie and high fived the guys. When she reached Lucas she held out her hand.
"Good game Uncle Lucas."
He shook her hand and controlled his face. "You too Kiddo."
Millie smiled. "Come on Monkey."
Allie ran to the car. Once they were gone and Jamie was shooting hoops with Fergie and Junk Lucas confronted his brother.
"Her last name is Scott?"
Nathan sighed. "Yes."
"She is Brooke's daughter and she is 4 years old?"
"Yes."
Skills finally caught up. "You mean that girl is Luke's daughter?"
Lucas waited for his brother's answer. Nathan just looked him in the eye.
"Ask Brooke."
"I'm asking you."
Nathan ran a hand through his hair. "I told Brooke that she needed to talk to you but she kept saying that she would tell you when the time was right. Yes Allie is your daughter."
Luke started to pace. "How long have you known?"
"A few weeks. I don't think Haley knows yet."
"Why didn't she tell me?"
"You were kind of a jerk to her."
Lucas thought back. He had known that Brooke was pregnant but he thought that it was Chris Keller's. But now that he thought about it Brooke never confirmed that. Plus she left a few days later so he never got the chance to ask her again. He sat down and put his head in his hands.
"What am I going to do? Lindsey is going to freak out...I don't know anything about Allie other then she can kick my ass at basketball...I need to talk to Brooke."
Skills nodded. "That's a good idea." He seemed t be deep in thought for a minute before grinning. "I can see how she's yours though. Same hair, same eyes, same cocky attitude and same devious grin."
Nathan patted his brother's back. "It will all be ok."
"How do you know?"
"I don't but it's all I got for now."
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Brooke was answering her e-mail when she heard the door chime. She didn't look up from her screen as she spoke.
"Welcome to Clothes/Bros. I will be with you in a sec."
"Brooke."
Brooke looked up and found Lucas staring at her. She cracked a smile.
"Hey Luke. Shopping for Lindsey? I just got in some of the new line if you like it I can give you a great discount."
He shook his head. "I'm not here to shop. I'm here about Allison."
She stopped. "What about her?"
"When were you going to tell me that she is my daughter?"
She sighed and motioned for him to sit on the extra stool behind the counter. Once they were situated she spoke calmly.
"Nathan told you?"
"No your assistant called her by her full name and I figured it out. Why didn't you tell me?"
"I tried. You didn't want to listen."
"You know that I would have dropped everything to raise her."
"I know. That was the problem."
He paused confused. "What?"
"I was upset about what you had said but that is not why I left. I realized that you had big dreams. So did I. Neither one of us would have been happy if we were forced to be together. I left so you could have the life that you always wanted."
He processed that information for a minute before speaking. "Brooke you still kept my daughter from me."
"I know. It was a decision that I made years ago. You are part of the reason I moved back. I want you to get to know her."
"You'll let me?"
"Of course."
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Brooke was getting ready to leave the store for the night. She was exhausted. Victoria and her got into a huge fight. It was so bad that Brooke decided to keep her designs safe in a lock box hidden in the wall so that Victoria wouldn't find them. She was closing the door when she heard someone come up behind her.
"I'm sorry, we're closed."
Next thing she knew she was being pushed inside the store. She screamed as loud as she could. Soon a man was on top of her punching whatever he could reach. Brooke was in agony. She thought of Allie, who was at tap class with Millie. Hr daughter was the last thing she pictured in her mind before it all went dark.