Title: It feels like home to Me
Author: D Sollers
Subject: BL. She was fiercly independant; Brooke Davis. Brilliant and beautiful and brave. In two years she had changed more than anyone I had ever known. Brooke Davis is going to change the world one day and I am not sure she even knows it. Some NH and JP with slight BC and LP.
Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with One Tree Hill but I would love me some Jake Jageleski ;-) What can I say? Bryan Greenberg is a hottie.
Author's Notes: Sorry about the delay but my family was on vacation and when I got back it was straight to work. But the wait is over and I should not only be updating this one regularly but look out for my new surprise in a few hours.
It feels like home to me
By
D Sollers
Chapter Twelve
Within the two months that had passed, Brooke had noticed a lot of changes in her life. The idea of having a baby was hitting her, as the majority of her clothes she couldn't fit anymore.
Suddenly the stomach that she had hidden so well, was in full view of anyone who had taken a moment to notice. Her cravings were constant as was the morning sickness.
There was a gentle knock on her bedroom door and she could hear it pop open. "I'm not getting out of bed," Brooke groaned, pulling the blanket up around her. The baby weight that had slowly began to show had taken her by surprise, as was the lack of self confidence that Brooke had always mastered.
"You have to," Chase said as he walked towards her and sat down on the bed. "You're doctor's appointment is today."
Brooke groaned again as she opened her eyes and looked at him. "I'm not leaving this apartment," she said finally. He laughed at her, gently pulling the blanket back away from her.
"That's too bad because Peyton and Haley were taking you out for breakfast."
She thought for a moment, warming up to the idea of having a freshly cooked breakfast. After spending one to many mornings on cold cereal or pop-tarts, Brooke groaned in defeat.
"Fine. But after the doctor's appointment I am coming straight home."
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"Oh my God Brooke, you're practically glowing!"
Haley nodded her head, agreeing with Peyton.
"I wish I looked that good when I was five months pregnant."
Brooke rolled her eyes as she sat down on the booth and her friends joined her. "Yes, I look like a million dollars. A great big FAT million dollars."
"You're not fat," Haley laughed.
Peyton nodded her head as she reached across the table and squeezed Brooke's hand. "It's just baby weight. Once the baby is here you'll be back to the Brooke we all know."
"And envy," Haley chimed in.
Brooke sighed, resting her hand over her stomach. "But what if I don't? What if my hips get wider, or my boobs start to sag.." She started to pout, shooting a glare at both of her friends, daring them to make fun of her.
"You'd still be beautiful."
The voice caught them all of guard, as Lucas approached from behind them. Brooke found herself blushing as she stared down at the plate in front of her.
"So what's this about anyway?" Brooke said, crossing her arms over her chest and staring at her friends. "Why is everyone here?"
Haley shrugged her shoulders as Nathan and Jake came over to the table as well. Nathan leaned over and placed a quick kiss on his wife's lips before turning towards Peyton.
"You're not having a baby, right?"
There was silence for a few seconds and Jake shook his head. He took a hold of Peyton's hand and stood her up, so that they were standing next to one another.
"We're getting married," Jake said finally.
Haley's mouth fell open and the group surrounding Jake and Peyton struggled with what to say. "That's great man," Lucas said. He gave his friend a hug and then turned towards Peyton. "I'm happy for you Peyt." She smiled up at him as he leaned down and kissed her on her cheek.
"Yeah, congratulations."
Nathan shook Jake's hand before turning towards his wife. When Haley said nothing he squeezed her hand. "Yeah... that's great," Haley managed to say.
"I have to go to the bathroom."
All eyes were on Brooke who had abruptly pushed past Lucas. "What's wrong with her?" Nathan asked quietly, turning towards Haley.
"I thought Brooke would be excited," Peyton admitted. "I mean all the gowns and the flowers..."
Jake nodded his head. "And the music and the food."
"She loves wedding's," Lucas added.
Haley smiled sadly, knowing all too well how much Brooke loved weddings. Brooke had been so involved with her wedding, every last detail Brooke had helped Haley with.
"I don't understand why she's upset."
Haley glared at Peyton. "Isn't it obvious? I think we're all thinking it, in the back of our minds. But nobody is going to say anything because no one wants to hurt precious Peyton. And I'm sick of it."
"Haley this isn't..." Nathan began as his wife cut him off.
"No this isn't the time and I am sorry Jake," she admitted. She turned towards Jake, giving him a sympathetic smile. "But I've kept my mouth shut long enough. You want to know why Brooke's upset?"
"Haley..."
This time it wasn't her husband who was trying to stop her, it was her brother in law. But still, Haley didn't listen. "No Luke, you listen. This is just as much your fault as it is hers. Don't you get it? Brooke loved you so much but she loved Peyton more. She broke up with you so that Peyton would be happy and the joke's on her because you didn't make her happy!"
She crossed her arms over her chest and continued. "Don't you get it Peyton? By you choosing Jake in the end, Brooke gave up Lucas for nothing. And now she's pregnant by a man she doesn't even love."
Haley didn't wait for any of her friends to say anything as she pushed past them and headed off towards the bathroom to find Brooke. Peyton felt guilty as she looked from Jake, to Lucas and then finally towards Nathan.
Nathan shrugged his shoulders and let out a laugh.
"I just thought it was because she was going to look fat in the dress."
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Karen's Cafe had once been Brooke's favorite place to be. Everything about it reminded her of the times she spent there as a teenager, in love with Lucas and happy. It gave her a familiar sense of family, something she didn't have growing up.
But as she carefully locked the door behind her, Brooke couldn't help but feel as if that was gone now. She wasn't with Lucas anymore, something that had become more and more apparent over the years. That meant she had no ties to the people in this town, no ties to the woman who owned the cafe.
Her friendship with Peyton had lessened over the years, as had her involvement with the others. And even though she was in Tree Hill to rectify that, to get back to the person she was... she couldn't help but realize how hard that was going to be.
Especially when she was having Chase's baby.
A knock pulled her out of her thoughts as she heard Haley's voice on the other side of the door. "Brooke, it's me..." She didn't hesitate as she unlocked the bathroom door, allowing access to her best friend.
The only one who really understood her anymore.
"Are you okay?"
Haley knew the answer to the question but still felt as if she should ask. Perhaps she had been wrong and Brooke really was upset about something small. Perhaps there wasn't any residual anger left over towards Peyton and maybe she didn't really love Lucas.
But as green eyes met hazel, Haley's fears were confirmed. Brooke was crying. "Oh Brooke," Haley said as she wrapped her friend into a hug and held her. "What are we going to do?" She asked quietly, as Brooke shrugged her shoulders.
"I wish I knew," she admitted honestly.
Haley sighed, not knowing what else to say to the brunette. The girl who had once been so brave, seemed so fragile right now. So scared and unsure of herself.
"I yelled at Peyton," Haley laughed.
Brooke raised her eyebrow as she looked at her friend, waiting for her to continue. "Yeah, lets just say I'm not the door mat everyone thought I was."
"Hales..."
Haley shook her head no. "I've just had it, you know? I mean the triangle from hell practically killed you junior year but I saw you bounce back from that. You became one of my best friends and just when I thought you couldn't get hurt again... They did it again. I will be damned if it's going to happen to you now, especially when you're carrying my god child!"
Despite the situation, Brooke managed a small laugh. "What?" she asked, staring up at her friend.
"Yeah, I mean it's only fair right? You're James God mom, it's only fair that I get to be your baby's."
Brooke agreed as she hugged her friend again. "I wouldn't have it any other way," she admitted honestly. "We should really get back out there..."
"I'll give you a few minutes," Haley said as she looked at her friend. As she made her way towards the bathroom door, Haley turned to look at Brooke once again. "You know Brooke, both Lucas and Chase can be apart of this baby's life. It doesn't have to be one or the other."
Brooke nodded her head. "I know."
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"Is she okay?"
The concern in his voice was didn't surprise Haley in the least. Lucas Scott was many things but he was always compassionate. She nodded her head sadly, trying to come up with exactly what to say.
"She doesn't need this, any of it."
Lucas stuffed his hands in his jean pockets and stared down at his best friend. "What do you mean?" He asked, unsure of just what his friend was getting at. Lucas wasn't trying to hurt Brooke, he was trying to do what she had asked him.
"What I am trying to say is, if you want to be with Brooke..." Haley paused for a moment and sighed. "Then fight for her. Don't let her go because you think that's what she wants. Don't walk away because you think it's the right thing to do. If you love her, then fight."
I wanted you to fight for me..
The words echoed in his head, reminding him of a different time. He could make out the distinct cry in Brooke's voice, desperate to get him to understand exactly where she was coming from. She wanted him to prove that he was that guy for her and he had let her down once again.
"I make things worse," he admitted.
Haley couldn't help as a laugh escaped her mouth. "Damn right you do but at least you're admitting it. What are you going to do about it?"
"She's trying to make it work with Chase."
"It'll never work with Chase, you and I both know it. You just have to be there for her when it falls apart."
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"Did you want to know the sex of the baby?"
The doctor's question had startled her from her thoughts and she shook her head yes, as she looked across the room at Haley and at Chase. They smiled at her as the doctor placed more gel over her stomach and turned the monitor so that Brooke could see what the doctor saw.
"It looks like you're having a girl," the doctor said. As the doctor continued, Brooke was lost in her own thoughts. Haley and Chase watched as the doctor explained the different parts of the body but Brooke couldn't concentrate.
She was having a girl.
A beautiful, baby girl who was going to be the best thing that happened to her.
"Any questions?"
Brooke started to cry, tears falling down her cheeks as Chase made his way towards her. "Brooke... what's wrong?" He asked, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
"Maybe we should give them a few minutes..." Haley asked, towards the doctor. The doctor nodded her head and the two left Chase and Brooke alone in the hospital room.
Chase stared down at Brooke, trying his best to understand what was wrong.
"Brooke..."
"I need Lucas," she whispered. The words had taken them both by surprise, as she struggled with what to say next. He took a step back from her, shocked by the first words out of her mouth. "Chase, I'm sorry... I just..."
He shook his head.
"You love him," he answered her.
TBC...
Alrighty everyone, that was just a short chapter that is going to play very much into the next one. The next one is going to be quite long and will be out either tonight or tomorrow. Please review and thanks everyone for reading this story!