A/N: Ok here we are. It might seem a little bit confusing but this takes place three and a half years later and will be the present day time line now. I will have some flashbacks filling in the gaps later.

THREE AND A HALF YEARS LATER

Brooke POV

My eyes fluttered open, and I closed them again, taking a moment to enjoy the last of the sun that was coming through my window. The warmth on my back made me feel like I was lying out somewhere on a beach rather than inside my small New York City apartment.

The frequent sound of car horns and the screech of tires on the ground broke the illusion, especially when it was paired with the constant noise of people which never seemed to go away even in the dead of the night. I didn't care though; nothing to could this moment.

I smiled to myself, feeling a slight tickle on my back but refused to react.

"I know you're awake," I heard mumbled into my shoulder. I didn't need to turn around to know he was smiling.

I laughed softly and twisted around, so I was no longer lying on my front. I reached out for Nathan who was lying on the pillow beside me, watching with a look of bliss on his face.

"How long have I been asleep?" I asked yawning.

"About an hour," he said.

"An hour?" I said, "I'm sorry, you should have woken me."

"It's ok. I know you've had a long week," he said kissing the top of my head.

"I know but it's not as fun as it sounds. This job's been killing me, I'm starting to forget why I'm even doing it," I told him.

"You're doing it because it's what you love," he said playing with the ends of my hair, "and because you wanted to get by yourself without your parents help."

Nathan's logic made complete sense, it always did. Whenever I spoke to him, everything was suddenly put into perspective even when all I wanted was to complain for a little while, my complains seemed trivial when I was with him.

"Yeah well this definitely made up for my sucky week," I said, giving him a sleepy smile, and kissing him gently. He pulled me closer into his side and held me tightly.

I closed my eyes again, telling myself to just enjoy the moment without falling asleep. I didn't want to lose time. The bubble we were in popped when Nathan's cell phone started ringing. Even on vibrate, it still wasn't quiet enough to ignore.

"Do you have to get that?" I asked, as he reached over me to get the phone on my nightstand.

"I have to take it," he said, looking at the screen.

Suddenly I felt like the private island we were on was moving further and further away.

"Hey," he said.

I could hear a muffled voice on the other end. The words weren't clear enough for me to make out, but the familiar voice on the other end made me pull the sheet up, covering myself. I felt the familiar feeling of guilt set in which came with the feeling of nausea. Despite it being three years, that didn't go away.

"Right now?" he asked.

"Because you didn't tell me," he continued after listening. Coolness hit me as he left the bed and started pulling on his jeans, with his phone tucked in between his shoulder and head.

I guess that was the end of that.

"I'll be there soon," he said, cutting off the call.

I rolled over, bringing the sheet with me, as I used one hand to feel around on the floor beside the bed for some sort of clothing.

"Brooke—"

"You have to go," I finished for him, sitting up against the headboard, holding the sheet to my chest whilst I pulled a previously discarded t-shirt over my head.

"I'm sorry, I have to," he said leaning forward and kissing me on the cheek.

"It's fine, I get it," I said, scooting to the side of the bed to put on some printed pyjama shorts from the drawer.

"It'll get easier," Nathan said from behind me.

"Mmm," I automatically responded. I stood up to find a hoodie, and saw him watching me as he buttoned up his shirt.

"I'll speak to you later?" he asked, sensing I wasn't completely happy with his abrupt exit.

"Yeah, no it's fine," I said giving him a soft smile.

Nathan looked relieved and smiled back, kissing me on the lips gently.

"I love you," he said lingering in the doorway.

"I love you too," I responded giving in.

xxxxx

Nathan POV

"Where have you been?"

I heard Haley's voice before I even saw her. I let the front door close, and walked into the kitchen where it was coming from.

Haley was standing behind the island counter, with her diary open in front of her.

"Daddy!" Jamie screamed, reaching for me.

A smile found its way on to my face as I caught sight of him sitting on his booster chair at the breakfast bar.

I went over and lifted the three year old out from his seat, and he wrapped his little arms around my neck.

"Great, now he's not going to finish his dinner," Haley said , clearly irritated that I'd let him out of his chair.

"I'm not hungry," Jamie stated.

I looked over at his plate, and most of it was gone anyway.

"Why did it take you so long to get home?" she asked, putting her cell phone and notebook in her handbag.

"There was traffic."

"The gym is ten minutes away. I called you like forty minutes ago," she said looking at the kitchen clock.

"There was traffic," I repeated, rather than explain that I was making the drive over to our city apartment on East 78th street from Williamsburg rather than the gym.

"Fine, whatever," she said, putting her handbag on her shoulder, "I'm running late now."

"Maybe next time tell me you booked a session at the studio and you don't have to be late," I replied back.

"I'll be home late," she said ignoring my comment.

"Ok," I said.

She started walking out the kitchen, and then turned around.

"Peyton called by the way, she's having a family dinner in a few weeks. Your mom and everyone is going to be there," Haley said, "I told her we'd be there so if you could try not to get stuck in traffic on your way home that night, it would be helpful."

"Have a good session," I said, ignoring her.

"Bye Mommy," Jamie called.

"Goodnight James," she said.

I heard the front door slam and let out a deep breath.

"What do you say we get you into bed?" I asked my son.

"Four books," he said trying his luck.

"Three!" he pleaded for with a grin.

"Ok deal," I said tickling him as we went up the stairs.

Xxxx

Brooke POV

"Brooke?" I heard Owen call into the apartment a few seconds after the door opened.

"I gave you that key for emergencies." I called back.

"This is an emergency," I heard him say, "you weren't answering the phone."

I groaned, "Then leave a message like a normal person."

"Luckily unlike the normal people, I have a key," he said.

Smart ass.

I could hear Owen's footsteps coming closer until they reached my bedroom. I held my breath as I waited for what I knew was coming next. Owen sighed as he took in the sight in front of him.

"What are you doing to yourself B?" he asked, but I could tell it was rhetorical.

I felt a weight on the bed as the opposite side sank down.

"I'm fine," I assured him without lifting my head from the pillow.

"You're not fine, you're like this every time he leaves," Owen said, his tone clearly disapproving.

"Seriously Owen, I'm fine," I said, "I'm a big girl, I know what I'm doing."

"Brooke when you used to assure me it would all work out I used to believe you. I've known you two years though and I'm not so sure I like seeing you like this," he said.

I lifted my head from the pillow and saw him frowning at me.

"I don't like what this asshole is doing to you," Owen said.

"He isn't doing anything to me," I said defensively, and sitting up, "Owen look, this is just as much my fault as it is his. I knew what I was getting into. It's not like I went into this blindly."

Owen stared at me for a few seconds; I could almost hear his brain ticking. I could tell he wanted to ask me more questions but he knew like always he probably wouldn't get an answer. All he knew was I was involved with someone that couldn't be with me right now.

"Let's go out," he said finally.

"What? No, I don't want to go out," I said collapsing back down on the pillow.

"Let's go cheer you up," he said.

"I don't need cheering up," he said.

"If I leave now you're going to spend the rest of the night in bed with Netflix," he said, and we both knew he was right.

"Owen…" I groaned, whilst stretching.

"Get dressed, we're going to a bar," he said.

He left my room and I yelled loud enough for him to hear, "Go away you weren't invited."

All I heard in response was the TV turn on. I considered staying in bed, but I got out and began rummaging through my wardrobe, knowing he wasn't going to take no for an answer.

I picked out a pair of skinny jeans and a black shimmery tank top, throwing them on my bed. I headed toward the shower but stopped by my cell phone when I heard it beep.

[I'm sorry about today. I'll make it up to you. I miss you, N]

I couldn't help but smile seeing the message, feeling a little bit better despite hoping at the same time that this would get easier.

"Any day now would be great," Owen called from the living room.

"Two minutes," I yelled back, whilst typing my reply.

[I miss you too]

A/N: Ok so I hope you liked it. I just want to point out I know Haley seemed like the uber bitch there but she's just having a bad day. I'm also not going to make her out to suddenly become the devil, I'm going to make her as realistic as possible as a development of her character as a result of the events of my alternative timeline.i hate when tics suddenly make her out to be completely evil because its a Brathan fic.

Tell me what you're thinking! It motivates me! Any theories?