…

"How about if we go get Christmas portraits taken?" Brooke asked.

"Huh?" Sam mumbled. They were sitting together on the couch, after talking for hours about everything under the sun.

"Well it is getting close to Christmas and I have always seen those portrait cards and thought-someday when I have a family I am going to do that. Well, you are my family," she smiled.

"You mean those corny cards that you get from someone you haven't seen in years and only think about when tragedy strikes?" Sam asked. "Oh, yes. That sounds like fun."

"Don't be silly, everyone loves them! Plus I always love the ones Nathan and Haley send out with Jamie."

"Jamie is five. He is cute. Plus I am not really all that into Christmas. I'm more like a scrooge. Christmas has always been, well crappy for me."

"Ah, Sam! That is exactly why we must do something fun! That settles it, first think in the morning we are going to go shopping and then we will get our portraits taken! It will be fun. Plus I need to get some material for the dress I am wearing to Lucas and Peyton's wedding next week. I also think its time we updated your wardrobe."

Sam looked at her old ratty t-shirt. Brooke seemed so excited she didn't want to tell her that she loved this shirt. She also wasn't crazy about shopping.

"Ok, Brooke. Then I want you to do something for me," Sam said getting an idea.

"What's that?" Brooke said looking leery. The way Sam was grinning at her, she knew that it was something she wasn't going to like.

"I want to invite Julian over for dinner. As a date..."

"Sam! He is way too old for you! I know that he has those cute little dimples, that sexy manly charm, and that nice tight butt, but you are not going to ask him out!" Brooke exclaimed shocked at what Sam said.

Sam's jaw dropped open. She then burst into laughter.

"Sam, I mean it."

Sam was laughing so hard she couldn't get the words out, "Brooke, I don't want…" Tears started streaming down her face from laughing so hard. She grabbed her stomach and slapped her hand on her leg.

"Sam, I know that you know I had a…well friendly past, but I am not about to let you go on a date with a full grown man! Don't even think about it. What's so funny anyway?"

"Brooke I want you to go out with him…not me," she laughed. Brooke's eyes got huge and then she laughed.

"Well…that's not what I was thinking but I am glad it wasn't you lusting after a him!" she giggled herself. "And no…I will not go out with Julian."

"Fine," Sam smiled smugly "Then I don't want any Christmas pictures. Oh and you really should give him a chance. He brought me back to you, didn't he?"

Sam got up and walked into the kitchen and Brooke rushed in after a couple of minutes. Sam smiled.

"Sam, that is blackmail and you know it!" Brooke said. Sam just smiled bigger.

"Sorry."

"Ok, fine! I will invite him over. But I am making you dress up as an elf!" she huffed as she stomped into the bathroom and shut the door.

…

"Jamie was so excited about staying the night with Skills. I really think it might be good for Skills. He has been so sad lately," Haley said as she kissed Nathan. "Plus that leaves me alone with my wonderful, sexy husband."

Nathan wrapped his arms around his wife and smiled. "You are so amazing. I love you so much."

"I know," Haley smiled. "I am so glad Sam came back. She really is a great kid. Plus I think her and Brooke are good for each other."

"Yeah, I agree. Plus I know that things are going to be hard for Brooke next week. Has Peyton even told her about being pregnant?"

"No, I don't think so. We talked and thought we should wait until Sam was back. Brooke was too emotional to handle that while she was gone. Now that she is back I am sure Peyton will tell her. I know Brooke wants a baby and this might make her feel lonely but Sam's back and that will help."

"Lonely? You think that's all she will feel? What about regret? What about jealousy? Brooke is so selfless but I don't think even she is so selfless that it won't cause her pain," he brushed his hand through Haley's soft hair.

"Regret? What would Brooke regret?" Haley asked.

"Haley, you are the smartest person I know, but sometimes I think you are so blinded by happiness you don't even recognize pain. Well, maybe Lucas's because you guys are so close, but Brooke has been sad since she came back. She love's him too, you know?"

"Lucas? Nathan, that relationship was a long time ago. I don't think it affects her now!" Haley looked into his face.

"Haley, Brooke will always love Lucas. Don't you ever wonder why she just has these short meaningless relationships? She's too afraid to get close to anyone again. She has never gotten over him."

"Nathan she was with…well Chase…and Owen…" Haley said thinking about what Nathan said.

"So explain to me why she wants a baby? On her own, I mean. She isn't out trying to find a man to have one with but she has decided there is no man out there for her…so she will do it alone."

"You really think?" Haley started and then realized it was all true. Brooke was still in love with Lucas.

…