So I figured, since everyone gave me presents today for my birthday, I'd give YOU all a present…a new chapter! Enjoy!!

Chapter Ten:Fix You

It was around six o'clock in the morning when Peyton rapped on Lucas' front door. When no one answered, she turned the handle figuring it would be locked but she tried it anyway. Much to her surprise the door opened and she stepped inside. She looked around the house hoping to find Brooke, awake, making breakfast for Lucas and Berkley. She knew that her chances of finding Brooke like that were slim but that was the way she envisioned it. But what she saw in the living room was better than what she was hoping for, snuggled on the couch, tight in each other's embrace, were Brooke and Lucas. Peyton smiled the biggest smile to herself and quietly let herself out of the house. She always teased Brooke for not being able to keep a secret, so as she ran over Nathan and Haley's house she laughed at herself, who was the one who couldn't keep a secret now?

"Haley!" She screamed as she entered the house.

"Peyton, what are you doing here? It's not even seven o'clock!" Haley exclaimed as she made her way down the staircase.

"I know, but I thought you'd like to know something." She smiled.

"What's going on?" Haley asked as she poured two cups of tea.

"Well, I promised Brooke I'd tell her what happened with Jake last night so I ran over to her house to tell her but she was asleep on the couch." Peyton explained.

"So?"

"So, when does someone sleep on a couch when they have a bed?"

"She probably fell asleep there last night." Haley said.

"In Lucas' arms?"

"Shut up!" Haley exclaimed.

"I knew it was only a matter of time." Peyton shook her head.

"What are you two squealing like pigs for?" Nathan asked tiredly as he walked into the kitchen.

"Brooke and Lucas are together again." Haley exclaimed.

"Seriously?" Nathan asked.

Both Haley and Peyton nodded their heads.

"Did either of them tell you they were back together?" He asked.

"No," Haley said. "But—"

"Then how do you know that they are?"

"I walked in on them cuddled on the couch this morning." Peyton said.

"So you're assuming their back together?" Nathan clarified.

Peyton nodded.

--

Brooke opened her eyes and instantly freaked out. She didn't remember where she was for a couple seconds and was surprised to find herself in Lucas' arms, but that feeling lasted only a few moments before she remembered what happened the night before. She smiled to herself as she nestled closer to Lucas who wrapped his arms tighter around her small frame. "Morning Pretty Girl," He whispered. "Morning Boyfriend." She smiled. "You don't know how long I've waited for you to call me that." He said as he pulled her closer.

"Morning daddy." Berkley giggled as she climbed on top of them.

"No good morning mommy?" Brooke asked.

"Nope," She said as she laughed and shook her head.

"You're a silly girl!" Lucas said as he began to tickle the four year old.

"Stop!" She squealed. "I don't know how." Lucas told her as he continued. "Momma, make him stop!" Berkley ordered.

"Not until you tell me you love me." Brooke smiled.

"I love you mommy, I really do!" She giggled and as soon as she said the words, Lucas stopped tickling her.

"Thank you." Brooke smiled. "Now what would you like for breakfast?"

"Chocolate chip pancakes," Berkley answered.

"You are so your mother's child," Lucas laughed as he walked into the kitchen.

"Who else would be my mom?" Berkley asked innocently. Lucas and Brooke couldn't help but laugh at the small girl. "I don't get it." Berkley said shyly.

"You're probably the cutest thing on this planet." Brooke said as she picked her up.

"I know I am."

--

"I say we go over there and act like we know nothing and see if she says anything." Haley suggested.

"Won't that be kind of suspicious, all three of us just showing up out of the blue?" Peyton asked.

"Yes." Nathan said. "I don't think this is a good idea, I think we should just stay out of everything."

"You are the biggest party pooper around." Haley said as she pushed him.

"Well he has a point, Brooke's expecting me to come over but not you guys." Peyton reasoned.

"What do you and Brooke need to talk about that is so important?" Haley inquired.

"Well I kind of told her that I'd tell her how Jake reacted to me telling him I was pregnant." She said shyly.

"You're pregnant?!" Haley exclaimed. "It's about time!" She shrieked as she pulled Peyton into a hug.

"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Peyton laughed.

"Well you two have been married for six years," Nathan shrugged.

"Oh my gosh!" Haley exclaimed. "Peyton! We're going to have our babies around the same time! This is going to be so much fun!"

"You're pregnant too?" Peyton asked. Haley nodded as she smiled. "Congratulations!"

"Why can't Peyton just go over there and then come back here?" Nathan asked.

"Because I want to be there when she explains or tells what happened." Haley pouted.

Nathan sighed. "What can we do then?"

"I still just say we all go over there." Haley said.

"What are we going to do with our kids?" Nathan asked.

"I'm sure Jake wouldn't mind watching them for a few minutes." Peyton offered.

"Jamie's old enough to stay with them, and besides it's not like they're waking up anytime soon. It is only six thirty." Nathan reasoned.

"Do you think Brooke and Lucas are up?" Peyton asked as they walked up the walkway to Lucas' front door. Haley nodded. When they got to the front door, they heard giggles coming from the kitchen, all three smiled at one another. Haley tried to peer in the window but wasn't tall enough so Nathan tried. He smiled when he saw his brother holding hands with Brooke and Berkley laughing up a storm.

"Well?" Peyton whispered. "What do you see?"

"They are definitely together." Nathan smiled.

Both Peyton and Haley squealed quietly as they jumped up and down. "Knock on the door." Haley instructed.

"Or we could just walk in." Nathan smirked as he opened the door. "Hey guys!" He said as they walked into the kitchen.

"Hey," Brooke said as she got up from the table. "What are you guys doing here?"

"We just wanted to stop by and see how you were doing." Haley said.

"At six thirty in the morning?" Lucas asked as he glanced over at the clock.

Haley looked over at Nathan and Peyton, her eyes begging them for help but they just shrugged. "I lied." She sighed. "Peyton walked in earlier and saw you two on the couch. She ran over to our house and said that you guys were back together and Nathan, being the Debbie Downer that he is, refused to believe it until you either confirmed it or we saw proof so we were wondering if you could confirm your relationship?" Haley rambled.

Lucas laughed nervously as Brooke began to blush. "He's my daddy now." Berkley answered, which earned questioning looks from the other three.

"It all kind of happened so fast last night. One minute we were watching Berkley sleep and the next we're kissing and cuddled on the couch." Brooke said.

"So you guys are together?" Peyton asked trying to hide a smile.

Lucas nodded. "We are." He said as he reached for Brooke's hand.

"Told you!" Peyton squealed as she pointed at Nathan.

"I'm so happy for you guys!" Haley exclaimed as she ran over and hugged both of them.

"You better not hurt her this time because if you do, you're going to have to deal with me." Nathan warned as he sternly looked at his brother.

"I know, and I would never intentionally hurt her." Lucas said.

"I know," Nathan smiled. "It's about damn time, too." He whispered in his brother's ear.

"You guys want some pancakes? Lucas made plenty." Brooke said as she offered them plates.

"We have to be quick, we left the kids home with Jamie and we're not sure how much longer they'll be asleep." Haley said as she took a plate for her, Nathan and Peyton.

"I'll be right back." Brooke said as she got up and left the table.

"How's she been?" Haley asked once she knew Brooke was out of earshot.

"She's doing really well," Lucas nodded as he took a bite of his pancake.

"You're not rushing her into this?" Peyton asked.

"She's the one who kissed me yesterday, she's ready for this." Lucas told them.

Everyone continued to eat and laugh at the table. Brooke had been gone for about fifteen minutes but no one had really noticed she hadn't come back.

"What is Brooke doing?" Peyton finally asked.

"She went into the bathroom." Berkley shrugged.

"Berk!" Lucas exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell me?" He asked as he jumped up from the table.

Berkley shrugged her shoulders, "I thought you knew."

Lucas, Peyton, Nathan and Haley all rushed down the hallway to the bathroom as Berkley remained at the table and continued to eat her pancakes.

"Brooke, baby, can you open the door?" Lucas asked quietly as he tapped on the door. She didn't answer.

"What are we supposed to do?" Haley panicked. "It's obvious what she's doing in there; she wouldn't have locked herself in there for no reason."

"But why is she doing it?" Peyton asked. "When was the last time she relapsed, Luke?"

"About three weeks ago," Lucas said as he ran his hand across the back of his neck out of nervous habit.

"Why don't you three go back and sit with Berkley, I'm sure the last thing she wants is a big crowd out here waiting for her. I'll try and get her to open the door and talk to her." Nathan said.

"Nate, I think that Lucas would be the best bet in getting her to open the door." Haley protested.

"I think Lucas might be the reason she's in there right now." Nathan said sadly.

"Why would you—" Peyton tried.

"Just go and sit with Berk so she doesn't get scared. Let me handle this." Nathan pleaded. Peyton, Haley and Lucas all gave him hesitant looks before retreating to the kitchen.

"Brooke," Nathan said softly. "It's just me. Can you open the door?" He heard movement from within the bathroom but the door didn't unlock. "I'm not mad; I just want to make sure you're okay. You don't even have to talk to me, just please open the door." He pleaded. The door clicked signaling she had unlocked it and he quickly rushed into the bathroom. He found her curled up in on the floor slowly rocking back and forth, crying. He knelt down, leaned up against the wall and pulled her into his embrace and began rocking her gently and rubbing her back.

"I'm sorry," She sobbed against his chest.

"I know," He whispered in her hair. "I know you are." He let her cry against his chest, her tears soaking his t-shirt. He wasn't expecting her to want to talk so when she began talking, he had to strain to hear her whispers.

"I don't want to do this anymore but I can't help it." She whispered. "Being with Lucas scares the hell out of me, Nate."

"How come?" Nathan asked softly as he rubbed her back.

"I know deep down that Lucas would never hurt me like Owen did but he's the first guy I've been with since Owen and it just scares me that he could try and hurt me. I'm terrified that Lucas is going to leave me because he's going to grow impatient with me. I want to do all the normal girlfriend boyfriend things with him that normal people do but I'm just not ready for that and I feel like he deserves that. I know I'm not ready to be sexually intimate with him for a long time because sex reminds me of Owen which reminds me of how he would force me to have sex every night. It hurt so bad, Nathan, and I know that Lucas would never hurt me but I'm just scared. I'm scared that I'm not going to be enough for Lucas. I'm damaged goods, Nate, just look at me." She cried.

It broke his heart to see his best friend as she was. This was the one person, besides Haley, he would do anything to save so seeing her like this, it made him feel like he had failed her in her time of need. "Lucas is the most patient person I know," He started. "He knows that you're not ready for a lot of things. He's so happy that you're ready to give this relationship another chance, I'm pretty sure that high is going to last him a while." He smiled. "You're not damaged goods, Brooke. You're like a phoenix; you're rising up from the ashes. You're going to be great again, it just takes time. I know that Owen hurt you in ways that I can't even fathom but you're the strongest person I know and with the help of all of us, you're going to be able to get back to the Brooke you used to be. I hate him so much for making you feel this way, for making you do this to yourself, but most of all I hate him for taking the spirit you once harbored away. He made you believe that you would never be good enough and that no matter what you did you would always be a failure and I despise him for that. I will do whatever it takes to get you back, Brooke, but you need to stop doing this to yourself. Being bulimic isn't the way to fight back; you need to prove him wrong. You need to believe in yourself and your potential again." He said as tears streamed down his face. He didn't even try to wipe them away, his tears matched Brooke's. When she was in pain, so was he.

"I think I need to go to a place that can give me the help I need. I don't want to leave Berkley and Lucas but I need help, Nate." She said as her voice cracked.

"You're doing the right thing." Nathan said as he pulled her close, her tears began to fall onto his shirt again. They remained huddled on the bathroom floor for awhile longer. Nathan noticed she had fallen asleep so he carefully stood up with her in his arms and carried her out of the bathroom. The second he opened the bathroom door, Lucas, Peyton, Haley and Berkley ran from the table to see them. They noticed her tear-stained sleeping face in Nathan's arms and their hearts broke. Haley's broke even more when she saw her husband's teary eyes. He carried her into the bedroom and laid her down on the bed before pulling the covers up over her small frame. "It's all going to be okay, they're going to understand." Nathan whispered as he kissed her forehead. Lucas popped a movie in for Berkley so that the adults could talk without scaring her.

"Is she okay?" Lucas asked once they had all congregated in the living room.

"No," Nathan said sadly.

"Do you know why she relapsed?" Haley asked.

"Because of Luke," Nathan replied.

"I don't understand how that's possible." Lucas said as he shook his head.

"She's scared of you because of Owen. She knows you'd never treat her like he did but she's still scared. She's terrified that you're going to leave her because she doesn't want to be intimate because it reminds her of how Owen would force her to have sex every night. She's just scared that she's not good enough for you, she feels you deserve more." Nathan tried to explain. "She wants help. She's scared as hell to go away but she knows that's what she needs in order to get better. She's tried it our way and it's not working, she's ready for real help."

"I hate that man." Peyton said as she shook her head. "How could he do this to her? He changed her into a person I don't even recognize. She doesn't have any spark left to her. I miss my ." She said as tears began to cloud her vision.

"We're going to get her back." Haley said as she rubbed Peyton's back.

"Would one of you mind watching Berkley for the day? I don't want her to burden Brooke and I'm sorry if this sounds selfish but I just want a little time alone with her before she goes." Lucas said.

"I'll take her for the day," Peyton offered. "I'm sure Jenny would love to have her over for the day."

"Thanks," Lucas smiled.

"No problem."

"I guess we should get going," Haley said as she stood up. "I'll call later to check up, okay?" She asked as she hugged Lucas. He nodded.

"I'm going to find the best rehabilitation center for her, don't worry about a thing. I'll pay for everything—"

"Nathan, you don't have to do that." Lucas interrupted.

"I know, but I want to." He said as he hugged his brother.

After everyone left, Lucas retreated back to his bedroom. He stood in the doorway for awhile and just watched Brooke sleep, she looked so peaceful. He slowly walked over to the bed and carefully climbed in and under the covers. He pulled her frail body close to his and wrapped his arms around her. "We're going to fix you, Pretty Girl," He whispered in her ear as he kissed her hair. "You're going to be okay." He said, desperately trying to believe his own words as tears fell from his eyes onto her head.

--

Review please!

xoxo, The Birthday Girl :)