A/N: Thank you all for the wonderful reviews. I really love them and appreciate all your feed back.
xCailinNollaigx- I know you had some concerns on Mouth and Millicent's reactions. When Brooke was talking to them she was still a bit abrupt and stand offish but they do care, I was trying to write it more as if they really didn't know what to say or do but not as them being uncompassionate. I'm sorry that didn't come across.
The song used in this story is "Never Gonna Be (C'mon C'mon)" by Bethany Joy Galeotti.
Anyways, I hope you all enjoy the next chapter and thank you so much for reading.
Ch-Ch-Changes
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When you see this, when you understand it, everything changes. (Neale Donald Walsch)
Lucas opened the door to his room slowly, hoping not to wake Peyton as she slept. He'd fallen asleep holding Brooke in his arms and had only woken up when he heard a noise coming from outside. Lucas had gone to check it but Rick had beaten him to it, discovering the menace was a raccoon attacking the trash can. Once he noticed the time, he said goodbye to the security guard before quickly heading to his car and speeding back to his house.
He glanced at the alarm clock on the stand; it read 4:15am. He figured since it was still dark out and if he moved quietly, Peyton may think he came in earlier and he could avoid a fight.
Lucas pulled his shirt over his head in one swift motion before sliding off his pants and laying them gently across the chair at his computer desk. He moved slowly as she eased himself on the bed, cautiously lifting the covers as he slowly made his way underneath. He swore he smelt the tiniest hint of aftershave but figured Peyton had probably picked it up from her brother.
The brooding blonde stared up at the ceiling silently, his mind plagued with thoughts over everything that had happened in his life within the past couple months. He closed his eyes as he felt movement from the other side of the bed; the room was completely quiet except for the momentary rustle of the sheets and the breathing of the slumbering person next to him. It sounded heavier than normal and Lucas surmised it was probably due to how busy she'd been lately. His eyes suddenly popped open as he felt a leg brush against him, much hairier and heavier then the chicken legs he was used to.
"What the hell?" Lucas reached for the lamp and hollered as soon the light flooded the room, revealing the man next to him.
"Ahh," the man sat up immediately. "Red alert, we've been breeched; Red alert!"
"Derrick?" Lucas' voice shot up an octave.
"Lucas?" he opened his eyes, turning towards him. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"Me?" the blonde asked. "What are you doing here, in my bed?"
"Well this is interesting," Peyton stifled a laugh as she leaned against the door frame. "Luke, is this why we haven't set a wedding date? And you," she pointed at Derrick. "You're supposed to be my brother."
"Oh, ha-ha very funny little sister," Derrick shot her an evil look.
"This is so not funny Peyton," Lucas said sternly.
"You're right," she smiled. "It's hilarious!" Peyton fell into a fit of laughter again.
"Peyton," Lucas said as he finally got out of bed.
"Okay, okay." She held her hands up in surrender. "I gave Derrick this room and thought we'd sleep in the master while he's here."
"Speaking of sleep," Derrick hinted.
"Subtle," she rolled her eyes playfully at him. "Get some rest big brother." She smiled as they said their goodnights and she and Lucas left the room. "Let's go lover boy."
Lucas jut shook his head at her before settling into bed. "Goodnight Peyton." He kissed her on the top of her head.
"Goodnight Luke," she said softly as she slipped into bed. She sighed inwardly as Lucas rolled on his side, his back facing towards her. She snuggled her pillow tightly as she closed her eyes, resolving not to say anything about the scent of Brooke's perfume wafting through the air. Maybe if she could pretend that nothing had changed, things would go back to the way they were.
First thing in the morning, Haley found herself in the studio with Chris. She'd promised Lucas and Millicent she was going to meet them this morning but knowing the time Lucas tended to roll out of bed, she and Chris would have plenty of time.
"It was good of Peyton to let us use her studio," Chris said as he looked around. "This isn't bad; Chris Keller is impressed." He turned back to his studio partner. "She showing up?"
"She'll be here later," Haley replied.
"I'm glad you listened to the music," he smiled. "The Keller is always right about things like this."
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well 'The Keller's' third person is already getting on my nerves," she made sure to use air quotes around his name. "Can you cut it out for a little while?"
Chris laughed. "Okay," he got serious. "So are you ready?"
"The James-Scott was born ready," she joked. "Just get your guitar and let's get stated," she said as she sat down at the piano. "Don't make me regret this."
"Why I believe Haley James-Scott has become feisty," he raised his eyebrows at her.
"Yeah, maybe you're rubbing off on me," Haley shook her head. "Can you get serious now?"
"Okay, I'm done." Chris grabbed his guitar and sat on the stool next to the piano. "Show me what you got."
Haley placed her hands over the set of ebony and ivory keys, playing the beginnings of the song she'd learned in two days by ear. Chris soon joined in and she smiled at him as the lyrics she'd written while Nathan was out of town sprang from her mouth melodically:
"Everybody else knows how this goes
Everybody knows how wide and how much and how far
Everybody's got my number now
Maybe I can find a way out
I've been running too long on this shift
And I've been keeping tabs on myself
And now I'm cutting in close on my limit
And I think I heard somebody say
You're never gonna be anybody else
You're never gonna see until you see yourself
So come on come on see how it goes
Come on come on take a deep breath
And don't let go…"
Nathan walked up behind the couch, watching Deb clicking through the channels, a habit she acquired whenever commercials came on, before settling on a program.
"What crap are you watching?'" Nathan plopped down next to his mother.
"It's not crap Nate," she smiled at him. "It's Extra."
"Great," he huffed. "That's a great show. Hey, is that that wrestler Rick Fever?"
"Yes," Deb nodded. "Missy Hawkins is on today telling her side of the story. Apparently she was one of his daughter Tonya's best friends when she began an affair with him and it broke up his marriage."
"That's disgusting," Nathan scrunched his face up. "Let's just put aside the fact that the guy is married which is bad enough in itself but sleeping with your kid's friend…"
"Well in this case it was pretty bad," Deb shrugged, trying to be nonchalant. "I'm sure there are instances though when everything works out okay."
"Okay?" Nathan shook his head. "It's got to be humiliating to the kid and it would destroy their friendship forever, not to mention the strain it would put on the parent's relationship with their kid." He shook his head. "If Dan had done something like that to me, I'd probably never talk to him again although Dan did a lot worse but you know what I mean."
"Yeah," she said softly before pursing her lips thoughtfully.
"Hey," Nathan noticed the change in her voice. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," she nodded and then gave him a smile. "Yes, honey I'm fine." She paused briefly, turning the channel. "I really don't know why I was watching that."
Nathan laughed. "Okay, well I'm going to check on Jamie, see how he's coming along with his new art project." He studied her for a minute. "Are you sure you're okay mom?"
She smiled, "I'm fine Nathan, don't worry." Deb watched him walk away, the smile of her face falling as she realized Nathan would never accept her relationship with Skills.
Peyton and Derrick walked towards her studio. She had taken him around Tree Hill like a tourist, saving her studio for last since she'd agreed to let Haley and Chris use it for a couple more hours after they'd finished at Brooke's store.
"So this is it," Peyton said as she opened the door, "Red Bedroom Records."
"This is amazing little sister," he said as they made their way inside. "Who would've thought that scared little girl I met all those years ago would become this strong, capable young woman. I'm proud of you girl."
"Thanks," she smiled. "That's means a lot."
"Hey, Haley said I could wait for you. I hope you don't…" Mick deadpanned as he came around the corner and saw the man standing next to her.
"Dad?" Derrick stared at the man in front of him; a mixture of hurt, anger, and confusion in his eyes.
"Derrick?" Mick stepped forward.
"So I was right," she looked between her brother and the man he called dad. "You're my father?"
"Peyton I'm sorry, I wanted to tell you but I didn't know how." Mick paused briefly. "And Derrick…"
"Save it!" he interrupted before turning to the blonde woman beside him. "Is this why you invited me here, for some sort of family reunion with the man that abandoned me and my mom before doing the same to you and Ellie?"
"Son, I know you're upset," Mick began.
"Upset?" he repeated. "Upset? No man, I'm not upset. I'm mad as hell, at both of you!" He turned to Peyton. "I thought you told me Ellie's friend's name was Mick."
"It is," she said before turning to the man in question. "Isn't it?"
"His name is Paul Finch," he pointed at him.
"Was," Mick clarified. "I changed it after your mother and I separated."
"Is that what you're calling it?" Derrick looked at him incredulously before turning back to Peyton. "I can't believe you set me up; I'm out of here."
"Derrick," she called after him before turning back to Mick. "I need answers from you," she fanned her hands out as she held back tears. "But I need to…"
"Go," Mick nodded. "I'm not going anywhere, not this time."
Peyton returned the nod before she went running after her brother.
Lucas and Brooke stood outside her store. They had been there ten minutes now, neither of them saying a word as they stared at the door. Lucas knew this was a big step for Brooke and he was willing to wait as long as it took until she was ready.
She turned towards the man beside her, finally breaking the silence. "I can't believe I let you talk me into this." She looked him in the eyes. "I don't know if I can do this."
"You can," he said firmly, his belief in her evident in his voice. "You can do this Brooke Davis."
She nodded; his simple words making her feel stronger as they had some many times before. "You're right. That animal took so much away from me; I'm not going to let him take away the store I fought so hard for too."
Lucas smiled warmly at her before he offered her his hand. "Come on."
Brooke returned the smile as she placed her hand in his and followed him inside the store. She braced herself for the chaotic mess she remembered but her eyes widened at the sight in front of her. "Everything looks…" she trailed off, looking around at the clothes on the mannequins and the clutter free desk with everything in its place. "Who did this? Luke, it looks amazing."
"Well Millicent and Mouth came here yesterday after they left your house," he explained. "They did a lot of the work last night and this morning Nate, Haley, Peyton, and I meet Millicent to finish up the rest."
"Lucas," she gave a soft smile as she began to tear up. "Thank you," she hugged him. "Thank you so much. I don't know what I'd do without any of you."
"You'll never going to have to find out," he said as he pulled back to look at her, wiping the stray tear that rolled down her cheek with his thumb. "I will always be here for you, I promise." He looked deeply into her hazel orbs.
Brooke found herself lost in the deep blue ocean of his eyes, part of her wanting to kiss him and declare her feelings right then and there but then she thought of the other blonde who'd helped fix her store this morning. The girl she'd declared "Hoes ova Bros" with and found herself stepping out of Lucas' grasp. She turned and walked towards one of the clothing racks. "It's set up a little different but I like it." A shadow from outside shot across the store and she shook slightly as a cold chill passed through her, the memory of that night flashing briefly in her mind.
"Hey," Lucas stepped towards her. "Are you alright? If this is too much…"
"No," she turned to face him. "This is great. This is definitely a good surprise."
"Well it's not over yet," Lucas replied.
"Really?" she kinked her eyebrow at him.
"Come sit with me," he motioned towards the chaise and took a seat.
"Okay," she followed suit. "What is it?"
"Do you remember when I came to see you the night before my wedding?" he watched her nod. "And what you asked me?"
Brooke exhaled. "The minute it came out of my mouth, I wished I could take it back but sometimes my mouth just moves quicker than my head, you know that. It wasn't fair of me to put you on the spot like that."
"Brooke, we're friends." Lucas said. "More than that even and I'm honored that you did ask me."
"Thanks but you don't have to say that," the brunette exhaled deeply. "Lucas, do we really have to talk about this?" It came out as a whine.
He nodded amusedly. "I think we do." He smirked at her.
Brooke rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms over her chest, mumbling. "This part of the surprise sucks; it's embarrassing."
"It won't be when I get to the part where I met with Dr. Caspian when I was in New York," his words sounded simple but he knew the impact he'd made. "I gave him a sample for you to use whenever you're ready."
Brooke blinked a few times, wondering if this was some kind of dream. "What?" it came out as a raspy whisper.
"Brooke," he reached over and held her hand. "I want to give you your baby."
Rachel pulled up to the driveway to park just as another car was backing out of the other side of the driveway. As she got out of the car she noticed the other vehicle had stopped and it was none other than Owen stepping out of it.
"Hey," she gave him her signature smile. "Nice bucket." She motioned towards his car.
"It gets me around," he peered at her for a moment. "Since when are you so into material things anyways?"
"Since when did you think you know me?" Rachel countered. "Brooke's not here."
"I know," he said, looking a bit taken back. "Her security guard told me that already. What's up with that anyways?"
"Brooke is a celebrity," Rachel shrugged nonchalantly. "You can never be too careful." She paused briefly, tilting her head to look at him. "So if you know Brooke's not here, why are you still here?"
"I saw you pulling up and I was wondering how you were," Owen replied. "Last time I saw you, you were pretty out of it and then you just took off."
"You know all about that," she mumbled under her breath.
"What?" He studied her.
"Nothing," she shook her head. "Look Owen, I know what you did for me. You saved my life and I really appreciate that but I'm okay now, you know. I'm clean so I don't need you worrying or whatever this is. I'm not your charity case."
"That's not what this is about Rachel and you know it," he looked her straight in the eye. "It's about you; it's about the girl I used to know and she…"
"She is gone," Rachel interrupted, her voice rising slightly before returning to normal. "The girl you used to know doesn't exist anymore and I'd like to keep it that way."
"So you haven't told Brooke then," he surmised. "Why is that?"
"Maybe for the same reason you didn't, it doesn't mater anymore Owen." Her voice was soft as she shook her head. "Look, I'll tell Brooke you came by okay?" She gave him a fake smile before starting to walk off.
"Rachel," he called and waited for her to turn around. "I'm glad you're okay."
She nodded. "I'll see you around." Rachel turned around and quickly made her way into the house, leaning against the closed door as she finally let out the breath she'd been holding.
Lucas walked up the sidewalk leading to his house, finding Peyton sitting on the stairs solemnly. "Hey," he sat down next to her. "Rough day?"
"Yeah," she nodded, tears in her eyes. "Mick Wolfe is my biological father."
"What?" he turned towards her.
"Yeah," she sniffed, "Apparently when he left Derrick and his mom his name was Paul something or other but he changed it. That's why when I mentioned him; Derrick didn't know who he was." She paused briefly. "I mean, I thought maybe he was my dad and I guess I just had this picture in my head and now Derrick feels bombarded and betrayed." Tears streamed down her face. "Luke, I just don't know what to do."
"Come here," he placed an arm around her and pulled her close. "Everything is going to work out Peyton."
"Really?" her green eyes looked up at him. "Then why do I feel like everything is about to change?" She sobbed onto his chest, breathing in the scent of his shirt. "You smell like her again," her words were soft as she pulled back from her, stifling her cries.
His brows furrowed. "What?"
"Brooke," she said the other woman's name forcefully as she stood up. "When you came to bed last night, you smelled like her and you do now." She shook her head. "And now when I think about it, back before your trip when no one else had seen Brooke, there was the faintest hint of her perfume on your clothing. Is that why Rick and Rachel said it was good to see you again; did you even go to New York Lucas?"
"Of cours I did. Peyton," he stood up as well. "There is nothing going on between me and Brooke."
"Maybe not physically but something is going on Lucas," Peyton looked at him, the hurt evident on her face.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Lucas questioned.
"It means when she is at her most vulnerable, when she needs something or someone she turns to you." Peyton took a deep breath and exhaled. "I'm her best friend Lucas but when Angie had her surgery she leaned on you, and when Angie left she called you and now," she ran a hand through her hair frustratingly. "Now when she's facing the hardest thing she's ever had to face you're who she lets in to comfort her before anyone else. That means something."
"It means we care about each other. We're friends," Lucas looked at her incredulously. "Do you honestly want me to turn my back on her?"
"Of course not," she yelled.
"Well good because I can't do that, and I won't." Lucas said firmly. "She needs all of us right now; you, me."
"I know she needs you Lucas," Peyton said calmly. "I'm just not sure if you need me or if I need you anymore." She turned to look at him once more before she walked away and got into her car, leaving Lucas standing alone on the porch.
Peyton drove down the street, making it to her destination within a few minutes. She quickly got out of the car and knocked on the door, waiting for someone to answer. "Hi," she said as soon as the door opened.
"Peyton," Jake took in her appearence. "What's wrong?" He immediately put his arms around her.
Peyton cried into his chest for a moment before looking up at him with big green eyes. "Can I stay here tonight?"
Jake just smiled at her, wiping away her tears with his palm before leading her inside and closing the door.
Neale Donald Walsch wrote, "Every decision you make, every decision, is not a decision about what to do. It's a decision about who you are. When you see this, when you understand it, everything changes. You begin to see life in a new way. All events, occurrences, and situations turn into opportunities to do what you came here to do."
A/N: I just wanted to say that the wrestler's name is totally made up and although the news story is loosely based on some celebrity gossip, the people are all fictional.