BRIEF NOTES:

Thanks again for the reviews. I know the drama has been getting quite intense, and I'm glad you all still like the flow of events.

So this chapter's going to be a little short… and a little light. I figured we all needed some lightness after the heavy drama that happened a couple of chapters earlier. No need to worry, though, we will be going back to that soon.

Enjoy.

DISCLAIMER:

One Tree Hill still doesn't belong to me.


CHAPTER EIGHT

"Freeloading in our home for good?"

Brooke Davis lit up at the sight of her complete welcome entourage.

"You obviously weren't trained to be prepared for anything." She flippantly retorted. "Probably played hooky when the drill sergeant taught that lesson, huh?"

"Nice to know California hasn't dried up your wit, Davis." Derek playfully shoved her aside and pushed the luggage cart.

The brunette smiled at his comeback; she and Derek had remained in a flirtatiously combative rapport since the day they first met. As far as they both knew, nothing would ever come of their playful banter… it was what it was – plain entertainment.

Her 20-second recollection had to be distracted. Brooke Davis went to hug the only other woman she put grave importance to, next to herself.

"P.Sawyer."

The blonde woman returned the hug with equal emphasis. "B.Davis."

A slight tug on both their jeans broke the embrace. "Me too?"

Peyton scooped her son up; he immediately gravitated towards the brunette. "Hi, Aunt Brooke! We missed you a lot."

Brooke caught the boy and encased him in her arms as they proceeded to walk out of the airport. "Aww, my little man… you didn't get your uncle's sassy side, that's good. How are you?"

"My daddy's here now. Mommy was right, he came back for me." Robby beamed with a glee Brooke had never seen in him before.

"I'm happy that you're happy, Rob." She was being sincere about it. She put the child down and let him walk ahead of her and Peyton.

When he was out of earshot, she whispered, "Can't say the same for you."

Peyton almost tripped when she heard Brooke. "Brooke!" she hissed.

"What? It's true. Those dark circles under your eyes tell me everything I need to know. So, P. Sawyer, it isn't going as planned at all, is it?"

The blonde sighed – no use denying her worst concerns to Brooke… she would discover them eventually.

"I don't know, Brooke. I have this hunch that Lucas isn't really bonding with Robby. I mean, I know it's only been 4 days since they started hanging out, and maybe it's too soon… but in the back of my mind, I can't help but think that if he just isn't opening up." There. Peyton Sawyer had finally confessed the theory that's been robbing her sleep.

"By he, do you mean Lucas?"

Well, that answer was unexpected. "No, Davis, I was referring to the mailman. Of course Lucas! Who else would I be talking about?"

"Heel, Sawyer! I was just making sure. After all, your son isn't as different from the both of you as you think."

Peyton was now wondering where their conversation had strayed to. "You lost me at heel, Brooke."

The brunette was exasperated. "I'm saying you and Lucas aren't exactly capable of producing Mary Sunshine – Broody and broody makes ultimate broody, get my drift?"

"Yeah, but look at Robby – have you ever seen him this happy?"

Brooke paused for a moment. "Well, if you count the time when he was a year old and he pushed his huggies down and reached for chocolate…" The word chocolate was emphasized with an air quote.

"Brooke!" The two women laughed at the memory.

"He does look happier, Peyt; and I'm glad." She paused briefly to catch her breath. "But if your hunch is true, Lucas might just find himself in a whole lot of trouble – starting with your hot brother over there."

"Brooke!" This time, Peyton was truly bowling over.

"What?! It's true. Derek is smoking hot."

The blonde laughed as she slung her arm over the brunette.

"Welcome home, Davis."


Nathan Scott walked in to the café and quietly seated himself at an empty table. The place was packed since it was lunch time. He didn't mind in the least that his wife hadn't seen him enter the place; during busy hours like these, he liked watching her in motion.

It was time to distract her, he thought. "Excuse me, miss, but the service here sucks."

Haley turned around, ready to flare up on the rude comment that was issued; but the fuming was instantly replaced with a burst of joy at the sight of her husband.

"Hey. Didn't you say you were working today?" She asked as she pulled him in for a kiss.

He bent down to respond to her affection. "I was… I just dropped by to see you." He kissed her lightly again. "And our son" He scoured the café area, unable to find the boy. "Who is apparently nowhere here."

His wife released herself from the embrace. "He's in the kitchen with Kaitlyn doing god knows what. I haven't heard any crashes yet… so I'm guessing the place is still intact."

Nathan chuckled. "The boys are definitely rubbing off on her."

Haley rolled her eyes. "Tell me about it! Lucas called me yesterday and asked what a black rocket was."

They both laughed. Robby and Ryan were extremely mesmerized when Nathan had showed them what a pack of mentos submerged in a bottle of coke could do; seems like they've been coaxing Lucas's sister to demand a repeat performance.

Their conversation ensued, making them oblivious to the group that had just entered the café. But a very familiar voice had caused both of them to turn and look.

"Well, this place certainly hasn't changed. Service still sucks."

Haley James-Scott pulled away from her husband and practically hopped towards the woman who pulled out the remark.

"Oh my god, Brooke! Welcome back! I'm soooo happy you came home!" She squealed. The three women circled themselves in a hug.

Nathan made his way to Derek and picked his nephew up. "And they're back in high school again. Hey man." he said as he greeted Peyton's brother, then turned to the boy in his arms "Hey sport. How you been?"

Robby gave his Uncle a quick hug. "I been okay. I miss you, Uncle Nate."

The older Scott's heart clenched at the small gesture of sweetness the boy had given. Peyton is definitely raising him right, he thought. "I miss you too, man. Tell you what – this Friday, how about I take you and Ryan to the park? Let's make black rockets."

The little boy's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Can Kaity and Dad come too?"

"Of course, they can." Inwardly, Nathan gave himself a slap. He had been so used to just the three of them that he had practically forgotten his brother's presence in town.

Thankfully, the little one didn't seem to notice. "Yay!"

Ryan and Kaitlyn emerged from the kitchen, concerned about the ongoing commotion. As their curious eyes searched the room, Ryan Scott had spotted the source and very swiftly ran over to her, leaving the little girl to shyly follow him.

"Aunt Brooke!"

Brooke bent down and caught the careening little boy in time for a tight hug. "Hey tutor son. You boys have really gotten bigger, huh?"

Ryan beamed at the comment. "I'm 4 now," he said as he held up fingers that indicated his age "and Robby is 3." He folded one finger to show her the number.

"Ryan?" a timid voice spoke from behind the child.

Brooke turned and saw a little girl who was the spitting image of the older Scott men's departed uncle. "Hi." The older woman greeted as she approached the child. "You're Lucas's sister?"

She nodded and said, "I'm Kaitlyn."

Brooke put her hand forward as Kaitlyn responded with a handshake. "Hi Kaitlyn, I'm Brooke."

"I know." The little girl smiled. "Robby talks about you, Ryan too. You're their aunt. You can't be my aunt cuz I'm an aunt to Robby and Ryan too."

Ryan chimed in, "But she's little so we don't call her Aunt Kaity… just Kaity."

The adults laughed at the simplicity of the children's logic.

Haley stepped in the conversation. "Alright, now that everyone's introduced, how about lunch?"

Derek was quick to respond, "Please."

Robby seconded, "Hotdog and cheese fries, please, Aunt Haley." The little boy then pulled out the smile none of the women could resist.

Both Ryan and Kaitlyn exclaimed, "Me too!"

Peyton went with their flow. "I'll have the same, waitress." She said jokingly.

"Same here, but double the cheese on my fries." Brooke announced.

"Well, Davis, I never would've pegged you for a double cheese person." Nathan joked.

Derek joined in. "And here I thought you were going to order the dieter's salad."

"Mock me now, Derek. Let's see you get spooked when I walk around the house in my new lingerie."

The marine was rendered silent by the come-on comment.

Nathan shoved his arm playfully. "Sommers – 0. Davis – 1."

Robby turned to his mom with an inquisitive look. "Mommy, what's lawn… lawnjer…"

She stopped whatever question was about to be asked. "Something you can't look at until you turn 18, baby." Peyton looked at Brooke, wide-eyed, and said, "Okay, I think we've all heard enough about Brooke's new collection. Haley, you need help in the kitchen?"

"Sure. We can make the hotdogs and fries. I'll let Cristy tend to the other customers. Come on. You too, Brooke." Haley commanded.

The two men were left to attend to the 3 lively children at the table. Inside the kitchen, the three women's preparations were slowed down by catch-up conversations of the little events that have either happened recently or were not mentioned during their phone talks, not that they minded taking their sweet time to get the food ready. The men and kids outside, however, had other ideas.

"We're hungry!!!" a chorus of voices yelled from outside the kitchen.

The three women laughed as each of them handled trays carrying their dishes. Peyton trailed behind her two best friends, smiling with contentment. She appreciated this – because just for the moment, all of the drama was set aside.

And even if it was just for now, Peyton thought, it was enough.