So I know I had said it was going to be one year later but I think it works better if its 2. So the main 5 are all 25 now.

Nathan and Haley have 2 kids Keith (Jamie) who is 8 and Isabelle who is 2.

Peyton and Jake got married (will be covered in flashbacks) and have Jenny 10, and boy and girl twins that are 1 ½ years old, Finn and Grace.

Karen and Andy are still married and have Lyla (Lily) age 8.

Brooke and Lucas are still together but they haven't gotten married yet and they don't have any kids yet…

Chapter 11

Brooke felt her phone vibrate in her pocket, she looked at it… Text message from Broody. I'm horny pretty girl… How is your day? Brooke smiled, Lucas had been in New York doing press for his book, An Unkindness of Ravens, that had been published 6 months ago. The store was quiet… 'I could be naughty back,' Brooke thought to herself… I wish you were here… When are you coming home to ravish me again? Brooke worked on some sketches while she waited for a response. After Brooke and Lucas decided to try a relationship again Brooke had relocated back to Tree Hill to be closer to Lucas. They had played one heated game of rock, paper, scissor to see who was going to move… Brooke had lost.

'It worked out for the best,' she thought. Her friend Millicent ran the Manhattan store and with the revenue from that store she was able to open up a second one in Tree Hill. Clothes Over Bros was now a chain… She felt her skin tingle again as her phone vibrated in her pocket. I'll be home at the end of the week pretty girl, and you and I aren't leaving the house for at least a few days after I cum home. Brooke smiled again, trying to think of a cleaver response. Alright well if you insist… I can't wait to feel you inside me Lucas. No one makes me scream the way that you do… Brooke patiently waited for a response again while she worked on the sketches. 10 minutes had passed and nothing from Lucas, she was about to send another message when Peyton entered the store with Jenny, Finn and Grace in tow.

She walked right up to the desk and said, "Brooke… I don't want to embarrass you but I think this belongs to someone else." Peyton set down her phone and motioned for Brooke to pick it up.

Brooke looked at the screen and blushed slightly, "So that's why he didn't respond." Peyton just stared at her, "I'm sorry but unlike some people my boyfriend is currently in another state." Brooke said sticking her tongue out.

"I just wanted you to know that your kinky text game was paused for a minute," Peyton said sitting on the couch, "I'm so tired. Jake has been working long hours and the kids are finally sleeping in their cribs so we can be alone." Peyton yawned, "But he is seriously wearing me out, if he isn't careful I'm going to be pregnant again in no time." Peyton looked at Brooke who was furiously texting, "I don't understand how all of that works… Jake sends me messages and I can never figure out what to say. I'm sure people have full on conversations. What I don't get is if you have the time to write a paragraph why not just pick up the phone and call someone?"

Brooke smiled and looked up, "Laugh all you want Peyt, but this," Brooke shook her phone, "Is my boyfriend. While Lucas is on his book tour this is a key part of our relationship. I would go insane without it." Brooke felt the phone vibrate in her hand, she checked the message and turned a bright shade of pink, "Lucas is at his signing, he can't be on the phone, he would seem uninterested in his fans."

Peyton shrugged, "Whatever you say ? So how is everything else going? You and Lucas are about to approach the 2 year mark and no offense but I figured you guys would be married by now."

Brooke was quickly sending another text message, this one wasn't completed until Brooke took a picture of her puckered lips, "Well no offense to you and tutor mom but I am currently enjoying my relationship with Lucas just the way it is. We're going to get married eventually, we own things together." Brooke paused, "I mean we are only 25 for crying out loud. There is plenty of time for all that family stuff."

"Just wanted to make sure you were ok with things," Peyton stood up, "I have to get going you were on the way to the grocery store."

"Bye Peyt." Brooke called from the door.

Lucas wished nothing else but to be in Tree hill right now. Brooke's messages were getting more and more provocative and it was getting harder and harder for him to sit in this uncomfortable chair, "Who should I make it out to?" Lucas said without even looking up.

"Let's see…" the voice paused, "How about you just sign it the prick that stole your life."

Lucas looked up, "Keller, what are you doing here?"

"You're in my neighborhood Lucas. I saw the signs I figured I would get a book signed." Chris looked at the book, "I heard this piece of shit is mostly about Peyton Sawyer. Brooke didn't used to like cheaters Lucas what makes you so fucking special?"

"Look Keller I think you should go, you're embarrassing yourself. You and Brooke broke up almost 2 years ago, besides didn't you like just get married?" Lucas said, scanning the line to make sure Chris hadn't caused too much of a scene.

"We're getting a divorce. She doesn't think my image is going to be good for her career." Chris said pulling out a pack of cigarettes, "I shouldn't have let Brooke leave; my life would be different today if you Scotts would have just minded your own business." Chris was about to light his cigarette when a book store employee motioned for him to take it outside, "This isn't over Lucas. Not even close."

The next person in line just stared straight at Lucas and handed him the book, "Some people don't understand creative expression. Who do you want me to make it out to?"

"Judy… I loved your book. Are you still with the girl that inspired Peyton in the book?" She asked smiling.

"No actually she is married to one of my best friends. We haven't dated in a long time, but our love story was still pretty awesome." Lucas paused, "We were in love in high school, I'm with Brooke Davis the girl that inspired the first half of the novel."

"That's neat that love found its way back to you in the end." She smiled and walked away.

"Izzy my love I need you to eat your carrots. Your daddy will be home soon and I have to finish dinner." Haley pleaded with her daughter.

"I don't like carrots momma," Izzy said in her high pitched little girl voice.

"Well you have to eat them, they're good for you." Haley smiled, "How about you take two bites for me since you're 2 years old."

"Ok momma." Izzy said picking up a carrot, putting it in her mouth and making a nasty face.

"There, that wasn't so hard now was it?" Haley said.

"Hales I'm home!" Nathan called from the door. "I picked up Keith for Brooke."

Haley hugged her husband, "I've missed you. Why do away games always have to be away?"

Nathan laughed, "The season is almost over Hales, and next year I'll be taking over as head coach. Izzy will be big enough maybe you guys can come on the road with me?" After retiring from the NBA Nathan had taken a coaching job at Tree Hill Community College.

"You think I'm going to uproot my family to go on the road with you. Not a chance." Haley replied.

Nathan turned to Izzy who was struggling to get out of her high chair, "Izzy you didn't finish your carrots. You gotta eat your carrots so you can grow big and strong." Izzy then began to eat the rest of her carrots.

"How do you do it?" Haley said with a hint of whining in her tone. "I just had to bargain with her."

"You just gotta be stronger than a 2 years Hales… Stronger than 2 year old." Nathan said walking away, trying to avoid the slap that was coming to him.

"Hey mom," Keith said walking into the kitchen. "Can I get a snack before dinner?"

"Sure baby there's fruit on the table." Haley said hitting Nathan with a dish towel.

Keith grabbed an apple, "You're the greatest mom," and walked back upstairs.

"See that, I'm the greatest," Haley said sticking out her tongue at Nathan.

"I never said you weren't Hales," Nathan said walking towards the living room.

"I'm all done momma," Izzy called.

"Good job Izzy. See momma told you that carrots were good for you." Haley said as she unbuckled Izzy's high chair and let her get down. "Now go play with your toys for a while."

Brooke was sound asleep when she heard the front door open, she got up and grabbed the baseball bat she kept under the bed when Lucas was gone and got behind the bedroom door. 'Whatever they came here for I hope they find it downstairs and they just leave.' Brooke thought but as she heard the footsteps grow closer she knew she was going to be so lucky. Her heart was racing as the knob to her bedroom door slowly turned and a shadowed figure entered. Brooke raised the bat and swung it hard, missing her target.

"Brooke honey what on earth are you doing," Lucas called from behind the door.

Brooke dropped the bat and ran into his arms. "I thought you were a burglar, coming to rape and murder me."

"Oh pretty girl, you never used to be such a light sleeper. What happened?" Lucas said kissing her temple.

"You went on a book tour." Brooke said in between sobs.

Lucas picked her up and laid her down on the bed. "Well I'm now. And the tour has temporarily ended. I don't have another date scheduled for at least a month. I came home early to surprise you, not scare you. I'm so sorry Brooke."

Brooke turned to him, "No I'm sorry Luke I knew deep down it had to be you."

Lucas quickly changed into some pajamas and climbed into bed with Brooke, "Maybe we should get an alarm that you can turn on when I'm away. I don't like thinking that you barely sleep and keep a baseball bat under our bed for protection."

Brooke was now half asleep in his arms, "I have a better idea… Cancel… the… book… tour…" she let out one last half hearted giggle and then drifted to sleep. When Brooke awoke in the morning her bed was empty, 'Did I dream that whole thing?' she thought. She quickly put on her robe and headed downstairs.

"Morning pretty girl," Lucas said from the kitchen table, "You looked so peaceful I didn't want to wake you."

"Oh… Well are you hungry? Do you want me to cook some breakfast?" Brooke said with a smile.

"Sure, but I'll make the pancakes." Lucas said as he walked behind and eased his hand around her waist and kissed her neck.

"You make the best pancakes."

"I know." Lucas said grabbing the mixing bowl out of the cupboard. "I love this house Brooke. I'm so glad you convinced me that this was the one?" Lucas breathed in the sea air.

"Well I knew you would come around. No offense to your mom and Andy but I did not think living across the street from them would be a great idea." Brooke looked outside, "Plus you can't beat this view in the morning?" The house was a craftsman style bungalow with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. It would have been out of their budget had it not needed so much work. The sink in the downstairs bathroom still didn't work. But for the most part it felt like home.

"I think we should go to dinner tonight, celebrate the success of my book, the success of Clothes Over Bros and the success of our relationship." Lucas said, "How does that sound pretty girl?"

"Perfect." Brooke said with a smile.

After breakfast, a quickie and a shower Brooke told Lucas she needed to go to the store early today. Lucas dropped her off and then headed to his favorite place in Tree Hill besides the Rivercourt… Karen's Café. Lucas walked in to see the place packed to the max. 'I'll just have to sit at the counter,' he thought. He pulled his hat down lower and took a seat at the end of the bar.

"What can I get started for you today," Karen said without even looking up from her notepad.

"How about a hug and a kiss," Lucas said removing his hat.

"A what," Karen said looking up. "Lucas, you're home. Brooke told me you weren't coming back till Friday. Why did you come in the front? Come on into the kitchen. I'll be there in just a minute."

Lucas walked to the kitchen and saw Andy flipping and scraping and grilling. "Who would have known that you used to be some big shot college professor?" Lucas sighed, "Now look at you."

Andy turned, "Hi Lucas, I thought you weren't coming home until Friday. I was pretty sure that was what your mum said."

"I came home early to surprise Brooke, and was greeted with a baseball bat." Lucas said with a laugh, "She thought I was a burglar."

"Well it doesn't look like she hurt you too bad mate." Andy said as he plated food like a pro and hit the bell for pick up. "And what was that you were saying about me? I used to be a hot college professor? I still am a college professor Luke. I'm winter break, and you're mum needed the help."

Lucas tapped Andy on the back, "I'm glad she had you Andy. I mean it. Now where is Lyla?"

"She should be right out back. She's working on some homework." Andy said getting back into the rhythm of flipping, scrapping and grilling.

Lucas found his sister sitting at the table reading Grapes of Wrath, "Hey Lyla, the star's about to fall… So what do you say Lyla. The world around us makes me feel so small… Lyla"

Lyla looked up from her book, "You know Lucas that used to be funny. But after the 12 hundredth time not so much."

"Oh come on Lyla I thought you loved when I sang Oasis to you." Lucas said sitting across from her.

"I do like it; I'm just saying 'Hey Lyla,' by Oasis every time I see you gets a little predictable." She said getting back to her book.

Lucas was completely deflated, "That was one of my favorite books when I was a kid." He said with a smile.

"I knew you were old, but I didn't know you were that old." Lyla said checking what page she was on, "I hate it. I don't think it makes any sense. I'm reading it because it gives me something to do and I found it in one of your boxes in the garage."

"Oh, well I have plenty of other books you could read. Maybe Grape of Wrath is just too old for you." Lucas said running his hands thru his hair.

"Do you have any Gossip Girl books, or what about Roswell? Max Evans is so dreamy." Lyla said.

Lucas was about to say he had never heard of either one of those series before when Karen came outside, "So what brought you home early?"

"Love," Lucas said with a smile, "Plain and simple love." Lucas got up and followed Karen back into the kitchen. "Mom can I talk to you for a minute."

"Sure, what's on your mind?" Karen asked washing down the counters.

"I was wondering if I could have the ring Keith proposed to you with." Lucas said, "I want to ask Brooke to marry me."

Karen looked at her son, "I thought you were never gonna ask me for that ring. What has taken you so long?"

"Brooke and I have had some hard times over the years and I wanted to wait until the timing was perfect before I asked her to be my wife." Lucas sighed, "It's right mom. I can feel it in my bones, and we've been getting along great since we bought a house together. I just think it's time to take that step."

OK, there's chapter 11… There are only going to be 2 more chapters to this fanfic… I mostly just wanted to tie up the story since I felt inspired by it again.

Thanks to all of the old and new reviewers. You all inspire me.

Thanks!

Krystal