Author's note: Still own nothing, and still wishing that I smoehow miraculously did, lol! So here is the next chapter, sorry it has been a while. The song is Tim McGraw's Forget About Us, and always I think it fits the chapter...I hope you enjoy it, and please review, as that makes this all much easier to do. Hopefully you enjoy this, and as always I am open to suggestions and ideas, so please share...thanks!

Brooke Davis was getting her baby, well, not technically her baby, but she was getting a baby. Maybe it wasn't the situation she had hoped for, but she was getting to care for a child, a baby who needed her. She was sitting on her couch lost in thought, worries filled her mind. Lucas had been back nearly three weeks and they had barely spoken, Nathan was busy working on his game with Quentin, Haley and Peyton were working on the next Haley James-Scott album, and Mouth and Mille were in an official relationship, and for the first time since her return to Tree Hill, Brooke Davis felt alone. Of course that was going to change in a few hours. She heard a knock at her door, she smiled slightly as it opened.

"Hey, Brooke," he said, "are you ok?"

"Yeah," she sighed, knowing that was a loaded question. "I'm just worried you know, what if I made a mistake?"

"It's a little late for that isn't it?"

"Ok," she said, "if I wanted that I would have asked Haley or Peyton, you," she said, "are supposed to say no Brooke you're gonna be fine."

"No Brooke, you're gonna be fine," he smiled.

"Luke, it doesn't count now," she said, she felt at ease with him for the first time in a long time.

"You got her a purple monkey," he asked picking up the stuffed animal, "just like you had?"

"You remember that," she asked surprised.

"Of course I do," he said as she sat on the couch, "I do know some things about you Brooke Davis, like you're going to be a great mom."

"I'm not even going to be a mom," she said sadly, "I just fix her up and send her back home."

"Well, if you didn't do it, who would?"

"My mother thinks I am being selfish, doing what I want."

"Well, I think it's just the opposite. I think it's great that you're willing to help this little girl get the medical help she needs so she can get back to her life."

"But what if I do something wrong, Luke, what if I break her? What if I hurt her, I mean I did rush into this," she sighed, "and I am scared."

"You know when it comes to single moms," he smiled, "I had a pretty great one, and I think it's ok that you're a little scared. I think you are going to do great Brooke Davis, and one day you will be an amazing mother, I know it."

"Thanks," she smiled, nervously she fidgeted with the purple monkey she was now holding, "do you think she'll like the purple monkey?"

"I think she'll love the girl who gives it to her."

"Thanks, Luke," she smiled, "for bringing the stuff, and making me feel better."

"Anytime," he smiled, "so will I be seeing you and your baby at Jamie's birthday party on Saturday?"

"Oh you know it," she said, "we will be there. Haley said she invited Lindsey," she waited for him to respond, "I bet you've missed her."

"I have," he sighed, "more than I thought possible, it's funny, though, I don't know how we got here."

"Yeah," she said softly.

"I don't blame you," he said turning towards her.

"Luke," she almost whispered.

"For any of it."

"Luke, I feel bad for you, for Lindsey," she said, "I hope that doesn't sound self absorbed, but I do feel bad Luke, I never wanted this for you two."

"Thanks," he said, "but she'll be back, Brooke, she loves me and I love her. And it will take time, but she'll come back to me and it will be ok."

"I hope so," she smiled.

"I know it," he said with a smile, "I'll see you around Brooke Davis."

"Goodbye Luke," she whispered as he walked out the door. She wiped her eyes as she held on to the purple monkey.

"Come on baby," Brooke said as she tried to hold it together. She was trying to hold her purse, the diaper bag, a cell phone, and trying to get a crying baby from the car seat, "it's ok, come on Angie."

"You need some help," Lucas asked as he walked towards her car. Today was Jamie's birthday party and everyone was already at the Naley house. Brooke had been running late, Angie had been fussing, she had several sketches to finish for the new line that were due the by Monday. It had been a stressful day already.

"Thank you," she said with a heavy sigh as Lucas reached in and pulled the infant from the car with such ease, "you make it look so easy."

"I have had a lot of practice," he smiled, "having a baby sister born when you're eighteen, and college days with Jamie."

"I wish I could say the same," she sighed as she watched Lucas hold the baby, "with Jamie, I wish I would've been around."

"Well, you're here now," he smiled, "isn't that right pretty girl," he said kissing the top of Angie's head. Brooke felt a lump in her throat hearing those words escape his mouth, "you ok," he asked noticing her expression.

"Yeah," she smiled slightly as they started walking towards the house that was home to their godson.

"Oh, it's just you," Nathan said as he opened the door.

"Nice to see you too little brother," Lucas smiled, Brooke chuckled slightly at the look on Nathan's face.

"Seriously," he sighed, "I am trying to prevent a disaster."

"What's going on," Brooke asked as they entered the home, which was filled with five years olds, she smiled as she caught sight of Haley chasing after Jamie.

"Well, my mom seemed to think Jamie would love a clown," Nathan said causing Lucas to burst into laughter.

"Are you serious," Brooke asked with a laugh, "did she miss the memo that tutor-wife is deathly afraid of clowns?"

"Like seriously, Nate, you better hope she doesn't open the door to a clown," Lucas smiled as Jamie ran towards them.

"Uncle Lucas," the birthday smiled up at his uncle, "Uncle Skills said he got me the best present ever."

"He did, huh," Lucas asked as he handed the baby to Brooke, "we're gonna have to see about that bud."

"How are you doing," Nathan asked the brunette as they watched the blonde duo walk away.

"Ok," she sighed, holding the girl close to her, "she's cranky today, and I've got a lot to get done on the new line."

"Well we're here," Nathan smiled watching her hold the baby, "and I'm pretty sure he's here for you too," he said, both knowing who he was talking about.

"Thanks Nathan," she said softly.

"I didn't realize that I had been away for that long," Lindsey said with a smile as she stood beside Brooke, Brooke looked confused, "the baby."

"Yeah," Brooke smiled, "it's only temporary. I am taking care of her so she can get the medical help she needs and then she goes home."

"That's amazing Brooke," Lindsey said, "you really do have an amazing heart." Both women stood silent for a few seconds watching the kids around the cake on the deck.

"He misses you," Brooke said, not sure where it came from, "I know it's none of my business, Lindsey, but he misses you like crazy."

"That's funny," she said, "a year ago I would have said the same thing to you."

"We've been friends for a long time."

"I think we both know that's not exactly true."

"Lindsey, that boy loves you," she said softly, feeling her heart break as she said the words, "and you need to forget about us, forget about me and Peyton, because Luke is in love with you, he said I do, Lindsey."

"Have you read the book, Brooke," she asked, Brooke shook her head, "I didn't think so. If you had you wouldn't be so sure who he loves and how much."

"It's a book, Lindsey, a work of fiction," she sighed, "and in this non-fiction world, he's in love with you, Lindsey, he said I do to you in that church."

"It's not me that needs to make a decision about Lucas," Lindsey said staring at the brunette fashion icon, "it's you," she whispered, neither noticing the approaching blonde.

"Who wants cake," Peyton asked as she walked towards the duo holding two plates of cake.

"No thanks," Brooke smiled holding a sleeping baby Angie.

"Lindsey," she asked holding the plate towards the editor, "it's chocolate, it's really good."

"Thanks," she said as she took the plate.

"B Davis, how are you doing," Peyton asked as they watched Lindsey walk towards Haley.

"Good," she said as she kissed the top of Angie's head, "I'm good. It's crazy, and I didn't realize how hard this would be, but I'm ok." They both knew she didn't just mean taking care of Angie, but neither wanted to say it.

"If you need anything Brooke, I'm here, I know I have my own place now, but I'm still here if you need me," she said as she put an arm around her former best friend.

"Thanks P Sawyer," Brooke smiled.

"Anytime," Peyton said. She had missed their friendship over the years, and seeing Brooke stand with a baby in her arms, it just got to her, she realized how much Brooke had given up for everyone. It was a sad realization to come to, realizing your best friend sacrificed her happiness for your own.

"I don't know how you do it," Brooke said as she sat beside her best friend.

"What's that," Haley asked with a smile.

"This," she said looking around, "being a mom and a wife, a teacher, and the best friend that a girl could ask for," Brooke said as she looked towards the sleeping baby in Haley's arms, "and thank you for that."

"You're welcome," Haley smiled, "and you are doing pretty amazing things yourself Brooke Davis."

"I don't know about all that," she said.

"I do," she said with confidence, "what you're doing for this little girl, Brooke, it's amazing, and what you do for all of us too. I don't know what I'd do without you tigger."

"I love you too Haley James-Scott," Brooke smiled. The truth was Haley had been her best friend for years. Even though they were apart it was like they hadn't missed a single day when Brooke came home. Haley was thankful to have Brooke back too. The troubles her and Nathan had gone through with the nanny, a lot had happened and she was pretty sure she couldn't have made it through without her tigger.

"Did you ever think we'd be here," Haley asked, "me recording my new album with Peyton on her own label, you with your company and magazine, Luke publishing his second book, Nathan playing again?"

"We were fearless," Brooke smiled, "and you've been there for me when I started my company, Haley, you were right about that. And I know I said things in that library…"

"No, it's ok, Brooke, it is. I know it's not my place to tell you how to be with your mom," Haley said, "and gosh, I am so proud of you and the company you've built, Brooke, you have become so successful, and I know that your new line will just as amazing, I'm glad you're enjoying your work," she sighed, "as long as you aren't hiding behind it."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I just know what started it Brooke, trying to mend your broken heart."

"Well, my heart's not broken Hales," she smiled, "no hiding here."

"Look," she sighed, "the night before the wedding I told Lucas not to marry Lindsey," Haley said quietly.

"Why," Brooke asked surprised. Haley had been Lindsey's biggest supporter, and she couldn't imagine why her smart tutor girl would ever try and talk Lucas out of the wedding.

"Because I had just read his new novel," she said, "and when I did, I knew right away that he was still in love with you," she sighed heavily, "whether he's ready to admit it or not."

"It's a book," Brooke said calmly, "ok? You can't draw those kinds of conclusions from a story."

"Really," Haley asked with a smiled looking towards her fidgeting best friend, "what about when I write my music? Some of my subconscious always ends up in my lyrics somewhere, and I don't even notice it until the song is done. And, I think Lucas is the same way with his writing."

"Well," Brooke said sadly, "I watched him there on that altar and it is pretty clear where his heart lies, and I'm not sure why you and Lindsey can't see it."

"I think she's afraid of the idea of you, your history with him, think how you'd feel if the roles were reversed."

"I know," Brooke said knowing that feeling all too well, remembering how it felt to be a footnote in the Lucas and Peyton love story, "but she needs to forget about us, she's his future, she's the one Lucas Scott wants to spend his life with."

Lucas Scott found himself at the one place where he could clear his head, the river court. It was his world. The day had been great, Jamie celebrating his fifth birthday, watching the excitement on the boys face. He was thankful to have them, his family. He sat alone on the picnic table thinking. He could understand how he'd gotten here. Alone. A few hours ago he thought there was hope, a chance, but now he wasn't so sure that there was.

"Did you lose your key," he smiled as he opened the door to Lindsey. Jamie's party had been over for about an hour and he wasn't sure where Lindsey had gone off too afterwards. His hope was home, but when he rushed there, he found the house empty, but here she was, bringing a smile to the author's face.

"I didn't feel right using it," she said as she walked in carrying a bag.

"You coming home," he asked hopeful.

"It's empty," she said coldly as he shut the door, "Luke, I came to get the rest of my things."

"I just thought maybe you were coming back," he said sadly, "maybe you could just spend the night, you know, so we can at least talk a little."

"What's left to say," she said pulling her things from the dresser.

"Lindsey, I love you."

"I love you too Luke, but it takes more than love to build a marriage."

"I'm willing to learn," he said truthfully."Whatever it takes to make you come back," he said as she held out her key for him to take, "keep the key, this is your home." She looked at him with tears in her eyes, she wanted more than anything to keep the key, but as she turned to walk out, without a word, she placed the key on the dresser. He said nothing, he watched her walk away, again.

"What are you doing out here so late," she asked as she walked towards him.

"I could ask you the same thing," he said.

"Well, I couldn't sleep so I was going to the studio, and I saw your car," she said as she sat beside him, "you ok Lucas?"

"She's gone," he said looking at his best friend, "she left, said there was nothing left to say."

"Lucas, I'm sorry," Haley said as she rubbed his shoulder. "What are you doing out here," she asked.

"Thinking," he sighed, he took a drink from the beer bottle he was holding, "I just came out here to try and forget about us."

"By us," she said, "you mean you and Lindsey, or you and Brooke?"

"Hales," he said frustrated. But, with her comment, he couldn't help but think about this place and what it really was to them.

"It's my world Brooke," he said as they stood at the river court, "at least it used to be."

"I have been here before you know," she smiled.

"I know," he said holding her hand, "but I never told you what this place is to me. It's not just a court, it's where I came from, it's where I belong, it's my world."

"Do I get to be a part of this world?"

"The biggest part," he said with a huge smile.

"Look, Lucas, I know things are complicated with Lindsey," she sighed, "and Brooke and Peyton being here and the book, it's a lot for anyone. And, Luke, you don't have the best track record," Haley said thinking back…

"What's going on with you and Peyton?"

"Nothing."

"So you guys weren't together recently?"

"No," he hesitated, "why, when did you talk to Peyton?"

"Why, are you trying to figure out what lie to tell me next?"

"I wanted to tell you Hales."

"Tell me what?"

"We've been..."

"Yeah, I know you've been because I saw you kissing her, which is a really jack ass move considering you have a girlfriend named Brooke."

"Don't lecture me Haley, I know that."

"So stop it."

"I can't, it's complicated."

"It's not complicated, it's simple, it's really simple. What you're doing is wrong and if you can't see that, I don't like the person you're becoming."

"Ok, the person I'm becoming? What about the person you're becoming?"

"What does that mean?"

"You know what it means Haley. Nathan says a few nice things to you to get back at me and you fall for it."

My God, if I have to hear that one more time, you know that I did that for you."

"You did it for me?"

"Yeah."

"Ok, is that what you tell yourself every time you're kissing him, that you're doing that for me? You're the one that's lying, alright? If you're looking for betrayal, look to yourself!"

"You know what Luke? Next time you see me don't talk to me."

"Fine," he shouted as she slammed his door.

"I'm not that guy, Hales," he said, "she's going to edit the book, she said she believes in it. I am going to make her believe in us again, and one day she'll wake up and realize how much I love her. And as far as my history with Peyton," he said, "and Brooke, well Lindsey will forget about us, when she sees how much I love her, she'll forget about us."

Sorry for the length...felt a little long when I posted, but not when I wrote it, lol. I am going to try to get the next chapter up tomorrow...hope you liked this and please review, thanks.