82 Letters

Chapter 10

-There comes a time when every life goes off course. In this desperate moment you must choose your direction. Will you fight to stay on the path while others tell you who you are? Or will you label yourself? Will you be honored by your choice? Or will you embrace your new path? Each morning you choose to move forward or to simply give up.

Taking a breath as Haley attempted to gather her thoughts. In a matter of minutes she felt a hand take hers. Hearing a voice causing her to turn around.

"Are you okay Hales.?" Nathan asked. Noticing the expression change on his wife's face.

"Yes It's just a lot of excitement here today that's all." Haley said. Smiling at Nathan. "You go and talk to people I'll be fine." Haley said.

Looking at her once more before he went back to join the group.

Haley taking a seat. Rubbing her hands together. Relax Haley just because they have a child together doesn't mean that they're getting back together. Haley thought to herself. As she looked over at Jamie and Ethan her heart melting at the sight of them together.

Peyton looked over at Lucas again. Wow he was exactly like she remembered except different older. More at peace then when she saw him last. What had she been thinking. He had tried so hard to keep their relationship afloat. The nagging insecurity had put a blanket over his attempts. She had convinced herself that he too would leave her. So, she left him. The night before over dinner. Telling him that she needed to get away. To find herself, Her purpose in life. And that it had to be done without him. She remembered the look of pain on his face. He had thought they were working on things reconnecting. Especially given the prior night's events. He embedded a sense of calm in her. She was able to let go and try to allow his love to fill the empty places in her heart. Giving her heart and body to him in those quiet dark moments in the safety of their bedroom. In the morning. Tears filled her eyes. As she kissed his cheek. Letting her hand linger on his face for a few minutes more. Before she quietly got out of bed and redressed herself. Packing up as many belongings as she could grab in the early morning sun. Minutes later she walked out of their room and went out the door. Taking off down the street. Into the Comet. A sense of relief coursed through her. The farther away she got.

Putting a smile on her face as she walked over to him. Brooke was over on the other side talking to Jake. Putting a hand on his shoulder as he turned and faced her. Him looking into her eyes. Sent feelings of longing through her. It had been two years since they had been in the same room this close to each other. The look on his face made her want to close the gap between them.

"Lucas hi I just wanted to apologize for everything that had with us before and after I left I was terrified and insecure most of all I couldn't appreciate and reciprocate your love and that was all me I have a much clearer head now and my heart is whole again." "You didn't deserve to be treated like that and I hope we can be friends." Peyton said to him. The emotion in her voice. Taking her off guard.

"It's alright Peyton I never hated you for leaving or held it against you." "I think if we're being honest our relationship had ended way before that." "And it does neither of us any good to hold a grudge." "I'm in a new place these days and I am completely open to being friends." Lucas said. looking back at her.

"That's great I really appreciate that so we should hug and officially cut out this tension between us." Peyton said to him.

Smiling as he leaned over. "You look good Sawyer." He whispered to her. Hugging her to him.

Peyton hugged him back. Wanting to take hold of the warmth she felt being in his arms again. "He was as handsome as ever." She thought to herself. As the two eventually pulled apart.

Brooke looked over at them. In between her ongoing conversation with Jake. Lucas and her weren't officially anything to each other but friends who had a child. Why did the sight of the two of them embracing. Fill her with jealously. Brooke turned her head back to Jake. Smiling as he recounted a story.

The evening going on for a few more hours. Before everyone left.

Lucas had left with Peyton. Texting her. That they would meet up later.

Which is what lead her here. Facing Antwan.

"You are an amazing man." "And I feel so lucky to have been able to be loved by you." "But I have to be honest." "Being back here in town with everyone brought up a lot of feelings in me."

"Especially when it comes to Lucas and I." "I need you to know and understand that you were no rebound I truly loved you and I'm sorry for the pain that I'm sure this will cause." "You deserve a woman who is madly in love with you." "And that isn't me." Brooke said. Wiping her eyes.

Antwan looked up at her. Putting his hand on hers. As he started to speak.

"I'll cherish our time together. You are one in a million Brooke Davis." "Go be with Luke." "I'll be fine." "Let me know if you need anything and we have always been friends so that will never change." Antwan said. As he hugged her.

Brooke hugged him back and they continued their outing for a while longer.

Peyton and Lucas walked along the trail. As he looked around then back at her.

"This was where we met." "Your car broke down and I offered to help you."

Lucas said. Looking at her.

"And you told me about your mom, dad, and uncle Keith."

"You opened my eyes to so much that day."

"I was so over everything and you got my mind off of it."

Peyton said. Looking back at him.

"You changed me that day Luke." "And I don't think you have any idea how much it meant to me." Peyton said.

"What meant to you.?" Lucas asked.

"That you stayed." Peyton said. Taking her hand in his.

Nathan/Haley's

House

"You have fresh snacks and drinks." "We'll be in the other room if you need us." Haley said. Looking to Jamie and Ethan. Who were having such fun together. That they didn't want they're fun to end yet. Haley had told Brooke she would let her know when Ethan was ready to go back home.

Haley walked back into the kitchen. Closing the door behind her. Hearing the boys talk and laughter fill the air. As she turned to Nathan who started to talk to her.

"What's going on in that head of yours Haley James.?" Nathan asked her.

Haley looked back at him. While she attempted to clean up from earlier.

"I may have agreed with Peyton that she should try and get back together with Lucas because him and Brooke don't ever work out." "That was before they showed up here with Ethan and I feel like I'm betraying Brooke." "Peyton is my friend too." "What am I supposed to do Nate.?" Haley asked tears welling up in her eyes.

"There is nothing you can do." "Just keep being there for both of them." "We don't know what's going on between Brooke and Lucas." "So until we do we just need to mind our business for now." Nathan said to her.

Taking her in his arm. Leaning over as he kissed her.

"Everything will work out the way it should Hales." Nathan said.

"I hope so." Haley said. Relaxing in his arms.

…

Brooke walked through the door of her home.

Setting down her purse and keys. She felt good knowing that Her and Antwan would still be friends. She had yet to get a call or text from Haley about Ethan. Or had any contact from Lucas. Which was alright with her. She needed a few minutes to refocus and center herself. She had been waiting for days to get a call from her doctor in regards to her results of the testing she had done.

Taking a breath. As she headed over to the answering machine.

As she pressed play. The blinking light indicating to her she had a message. The person's voice filing the room.

Ms. Davis your results are in. I would much rather speak to you in person. Then give the results over the phone. Please come in as soon as possible.

Brooke clicked the button to end the message. Tears welling up in her eyes. Her legs feeling heavy under her. While she slowly walked over to the couch taking a seat. Taking a deep breath. Closing her eyes.

Reopening them. Thinking of the box of letters she had in her closet. Words he had never read. Her honest raw feelings. His name on every envelope. Then the other box she had saved for Ethan. Her hopes and dreams for him. The love his existence had brought into her life. She didn't want anyone to go with her. She would go alone. She needed to know what she was dealing with and how she would tell everyone. Most of all she needed to make this time she had count. Because she had no idea when it would end.

…

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