***Disclaimer*** for creative purposes only, and I claim no ownership of the fandom, characters and setting. I do own a little Jon Snow figurine though.
A big thanks to the reviewers who helped me get this chapter out so soon, you guys are awesome and made writing this a lot easier. So thanks to k-pixy, pennelope, Noah, Lovewins, lovebrucas, LucasBrooke, Brucasforever, Lileen, Callison, Brucas, diane, Princesakarlita411 and all the anonymous guests reviews. Here is the new chapter, cliffhanger answered.
Chapter Fourteen
It had been four days since Brooke slammed the door in Victoria's face and Brooke was all too aware that her mother had not left Tree Hill. Victoria had contacted Brooke multiple times each day and Brooke had left the door closed the next time she came knocking.
On the way to leave to pick up Noah from school Brooke saw Victoria waiting outside the store and locking her jaw Brooke quickened her steps to her car and the means to her escape. Victoria moved surprisingly quick in her heels and blocked her daughter's hand from unlocking the car, "you could at least show me some respect-"
"Respect?" Brooke interrupted with a mocking laugh, "that's earnt, Victoria, I believe we said everything that needed to be said the last time we spoke" and Brooke tried to push her mother aside.
Exasperated Victoria clicked her tongue, "I am not going to leave until you agree to talk to me, like it or not we have things we must discuss"
Brooke wanted nothing more than to tell Vitoria to go to hell however her mother's unusual insistence had Brooke cautious about how long the older woman was willing to stay in town, and with each day Victoria was in Tree Hill it grew more likely she would confront Brooke while Noah was present.
Giving in Brooke sent her mother a steely look, "fine, I will meet you at Rosario's at 6, you get ten minutes which is more time than you've ever given me"
"Don't be childish, Brooke, you were not some depraved child like you insist on portraying yourself as"
Ignoring the barb Brooke got in her car and drove off, she knew her mother would never understand that the only things she had ever offered her daughters were the only things that didn't have true value.
The meeting with her mother had Brooke distracted as she picked up Noah and took him home, it was Friday so Sam had gone out after school and Brooke sat with Noah as he did his homework and then together they started making dinner. The knock came just after Brooke had placed dinner in the oven and she smoothed her hands against her thighs as she opened the door, "hi, Luke. Thanks for this"
"Anytime" Lucas walked in and went straight over to Noah, they said hello and Lucas asked about school while Brooke got ready to leave.
"Right. Sam probably won't be home until late tonight and I should be back by then but if she comes home early I'm happy if you want to go home. Dinner is in the oven, I have set the timer, Noah showers himself and bed time is eight on Friday's with lights out at nine no later" she sent Noah a warning look and then seemed lost as there was nothing else to say.
Lucas smiled, "I've got this" and then to his surprise Lucas watched as Brooke gave the top of Noah's head a quick kiss, "bye" she told her son and left. It was the first time Lucas had seen Brooke kiss Noah and though it was brief and just against his hair Lucas knew the casual way Noah reacted spoke volumes on how Noah was coping in Brooke's care.
Once alone Lucas rubbed his hands together, "what would you like to do?"
Noah looked into Lucas' eyes as he answered, "I'm just going to go play in my room" and he abandoned Lucas who looked around Brooke's living room suddenly bored.
"Right I will just… watch some tv I guess".
-x-
Ten minutes late Brooke sat down across from her mother uncaring how the other woman felt about her arrival, both brunettes looked unimpressed and their expressions were uncannily similar.
The silence was deafening, a waiter poured water for them both and when they sent him away Brooke kinked her brow at her mother, "I thought I gave you everything you wanted in New York"
"Don't presume to know what I want. I expected an apology, you know" she had an unwavering dignity that astounded Brooke, Victoria took a sip as Brooke's mouth fell open.
Voice hoarse Brooke was perplexed, "for what?"
"You accused me of vile things. After the truth came out I waited for you to contact me and say sorry instead you call with more insults. I would never lay a hand on you or allow another to do so, for you to think so lowly of me-"
"Like it's a huge leap to make" Brooke scoffed.
"I never wanted the company without you, you are the company Brooke. All I ever wanted for you is for you to aim higher, be better, instead of settling for…" she gave a sneer "this"
"I am finally happy with my life"
"Because you have the boy back"
"That boy is my son, he has a name and it's Noah" Brooke hissed.
"Perhaps it was wrong of me to hide the truth of what happened back then but let me remind you Brooke you signed the papers, you chose to give him away"
"To a family because I wanted my son to have something Daddy and you never gave me, something your cold heart can never understand. You left my son alone, you left me alone to cry for him" though her voice was low it was fierce.
Victoria leaned forward, "and look at everything you have achieved! You were seventeen and a child yourself Brooke, far too young and immature to raise a baby. Your whole life would have been derailed if you became a mother; your talent wasted, your success gone"
Brooke had never met someone so pessimistic about life as her mother, Victoria seemed incapable to view the world through emotions, "what makes you think I couldn't have still done it? Perhaps if I got given support not criticism with every decision I made, all you ever do is doubt me and tell me I can't do something"
"That is not true, I was by your side and helped you build your brand because I believe in you"
"You believed you could use me. I created my company here in Tree Hill with the people you constantly look down on and I can do it again" Brooke's tone was held back anger while Victoria spoke with exasperation, hazel eyes meeting blue. Brooke shook her head, "why are you even here?"
"You're my daughter. When I read about what had happened I was worried and when you never contacted me… and then this mess with the child-"
"Noah" Brooke insisted.
"Yes, I know" Victoria looked Brooke straight in the eye, "despite what you think I am not heartless, Brooke. I kept an eye on him and made sure he was always safe, and when it became clear he was an exceptional boy and needed more I made sure he was given a place in one of the best private schools in the state and that money was no issue"
"And what you expect me to be grateful?" Brooke laughed, she touched her brow with two fingers, "you still don't get it. Money, possessions, fancy schools… it's nothing without love"
Victoria rolled her eyes, "always what about love? Love does not last. Love did not get you where you are, what good did love do for you with that boy who left you for that girl you insist on calling your friend and giving a free ride too despite the fact she would stab you in the back the first chance she got to get what she wants and has. Love is for fairy tales for little children"
"That's the difference between us, Victoria, I love my son" Brooke stood, she was determined not to cry, ready to leave Victoria stilled Brooke by gently grabbing her daughter's slim wrist.
"I know I don't say it but I do love you, of course I do"
"You have a funny way of showing it"
"I don't do sentimental. I am hard on you because I do care" though there was a shine in Victoria's eyes her tone and demeanour were the same as always. Brooke could have left but something in her mother's face stopped her, in this moment Brooke was reminded of Noah and how he struggled with understanding and showing emotions. Brooke saw something of her son in her mother and it had her taking her seat again.
"I understand why you left but now you know the truth that I had no involvement in what happened to you I hope you can see the sense to return to what is yours, not for me, but for yourself and for all the employees that depend on the company." Victoria paused, "Perhaps I was reminisce in not offering my support in a different way when you were pregnant and gave birth to Noah-"
Brooke went cold, those months came flashing back to her, her jaw locked as he cut in "Do you remember what you said when I was pregnant?" when Victoria's mouth closed and she looked blankly at Brooke she answered her own question changing her voice to sound more like her mother, "I knew you were a stupid girl but not this stupid, you should have gotten rid of it as soon as you found out now you're throwing away what little hope you already had of a future, good move Brooke, this will probably ruin the one good thing you had - that pretty little body you like to share with all the boys. God, do you even know who the father is? Don't think your father and I will clean up your mess, I never wanted children and I certainly don't want to be raising yours" she could remember word by word what her mother had said as if it was only yesterday.
"Yes well" Victoria swallowed, "I admit I have not always been the best mother but you have my support now if you want it, perhaps I can try to be better than I was. I meant everything I said in the letter I sent to your lawyer"
"What letter?" Brooke had no idea what her mother was talking about but she doubted it would make any difference, "It doesn't matter, anything you have to say is twenty-three years too late" this time when Brooke stood she followed through and left her mother alone.
Instead of going home Brooke found herself at the beach looking out at the ocean wondering why apart of her still after everything just wanted her mother's acceptance.
-x-
Not even twenty minutes after Brooke left Lucas was surprised when the door opened and Sam came into the house. The teenager was even more surprised, she looked around the room as if expecting someone else to appear, "uh, hi" Sam dropped her school bag on the table, "where's Brooke and the kid?"
"Brooke had something to do so I am just watching Noah until she comes home, I was just about to serve dinner so I hope you're hungry"
"Sure" Sam looked anything but sure, she ran a hand through her long dark hair, "where's Noah?"
"In his room" Lucas answered and Sam disappeared to find her foster brother.
Lucas waited five minutes before going to find them, "hey guys do you want to wash your hands and come help set the table" Sam was sprawled out on the floor with Noah, they were surrounded by Lego though the teenager seemed to be just relaxing watching Noah build. Both of them stood straight away and Lucas was pleased with how they quickly appeared in the kitchen, Sam grabbed the plates while Noah took charge of the cutlery and then Sam organised a glass of water for both her and Noah. Before Lucas knew it, they were all sitting down eating, "Haley tells me you're a very talented writer" Lucas said to Sam.
"I don't have much competition at Tree Hill"
"Don't sell yourself short, from what Haley tells me you have a bright future ahead of you" at his words Sam blushed.
Noah chose that moment to speak, "Lucas is a published author"
"I know" Sam grinned at Noah and then turned to Lucas, "I heard your second book bombed"
Lucas gave a nod of acknowledgement, "it didn't do as well as my first"
"You writing anything new? Get back on the bike blah blah"
Eyes trailed to Noah, "No, not yet. I've had a lot going on and with working on the movie but who knows perhaps soon…"
"You could write a sequel for Ravens"
Lucas laughed, "That's a book better left closed"
Sam took another bite of her food before turning to Noah, "what do you think, Squirt, should your dad write another book?"
"I'm not allowed to read his books" Noah answered.
Shaking his head Lucas pointed his fork at Sam, "I thought we were talking about your writing?"
Shrugging her shoulder Sam smiled, "well I am all done, better go work on my history project" and she quickly went to rinse her empty plate and put it in the dishwasher.
Alone with his son Lucas then happily listened to Noah chat away about his current science project at school, it always surprised Lucas when Noah started one of his long explanations. The silence and short answers Noah gave were so frequent and then suddenly the boy changed and words spilled out. With a smile Lucas listened and his mind went to Brooke, despite the differences Lucas still saw so much of his ex in the child they had created together.
With dinner over Lucas cleaned up as Noah prepared for bed, when they were done Lucas Followed Noah to his room and they said goodnight to each other. Lucas placed his hand gently on Noah's shoulder as he lay in bed, "I will see you tomorrow. Sleep well".
Time ticked by, at ten Lucas went to check on Sam, the teenager opened the door "you off?"
"Yeah. Brooke should be home soon. Bye, Sam" he turned away but soon was stopped, facing her again Lucas sent Sam a questioning look.
Nervous Sam handed over the notebook, "I thought… maybe… you know, if you wanted… you could read this for me, tell me what you think"
He chuckled and smiled, Lucas took it and held it carefully "it will be my pleasure" he nodded at the teenager and she gave a quick goodbye.
After locking the house up Lucas took the steps to his car two at a time, one thing on his mind.
-x-
The sun had long set, the waves a dark blue as they crashed and rolled along the shore, Brooke stared out at the distant horizon where the stars met the ocean and you could be forgiven not knowing where one began and the other ended.
Eyes were sore, Brooke thought she had no tears left and then from the corner of her eye she saw the barefoot figure sit down beside her.
Lucas had found Brooke's car along the beach and then had seen her exactly where he had expected too. Slipping off his shoes and socks Lucas left them by the sand dunes and walked barefooted to Brooke and sat next to her, he didn't say a thing but he could see her eyes glistening and silently shrugged off his jacket and placed it over Brooke's shoulders then he wrapped one arm around her and Brooke's head fell against him.
They stayed there together in a moment outside time, soon Brooke stopped holding into the tears that were building again and let them out and Lucas held her closer.
Brooke raised her eyes to Lucas, "do you remember when you told me that I know who I am? Sometimes I wonder, Luke, if I know anything at all because all I seem to do is doubt everything I think and do. I've spent my whole life doubting what I'm worth, with my parents, with Noah, with Peyton-" she looked away and then back, "- with you"
"You're Brooke Penelope Davis. You are smart, creative, powerful, a presence in every room you walk into and every single person who has ever been in your life is lucky to know you. You are kind, giving, gentle and strong but you are vulnerable and I've told you it's beautiful, all of you is beautiful. You are worth so much more than you could ever imagine and anyone who can't see that well that's because of what they're missing not you" he continued to stare at her, "There is nothing to doubt. I know you, Brooke Davis."
His blue eyes spoke to Brooke, he always had the power to look right into her soul and sadly Brooke wondered how someone who seemed to know her so well, someone who saw who Brooke was before anyone else, seemed to sometimes get things just so wrong. The thought of the past had Brooke blinking her tears away, she turned back towards the ocean and rested her head back against Lucas as his jacket and arm engulfed her.
When Lucas was comforted by Brooke's content sigh ten minutes later he squeezed her arm gently, "lets get you home" and like a similar night over seven years ago Lucas stood and held his hand out though this time there was no hesitation when Brooke took what he offered and let Lucas pull her up.
-x-
Peyton woke to the smell of cooking bacon, her nose twitched, for a minute Peyton didn't know if her stomach was going to roll over and empty its contents at the smell or dance in delight. To Peyton's joy her stomach settled and she stretched out before going in search for her breakfast.
Lucas was standing topless at the stovetop, a piece of bacon in his mouth, he hummed gently as he focused on the two fry pans. With her side leant against the doorframe Peyton cleared her throat, Lucas looked over his, "morning" he smiled.
Peyton walked over to her fiancé and gave him a kiss on the cheek before grabbing a plate for each of them, Lucas flipped the French toast over and then flipped them straight onto the plate followed soon by the bacon and eggs.
"What are your plans today?" Peyton asked when they sat across from each other though her mind was on the food grateful that her nausea was so rare these days.
Lucas shrugged, "nothing much, I'm going to take Noah to the beach and then to the library to do some research for a big project he has coming up"
"Sounds fun" Peyton quickly changed the subject, "I was thinking before you pick Noah up we could check out some furniture for the nursery"
"Sure" Lucas agreed easily and when they were at the store he thought back to the empty and fresh kids room he had been working on slowly. Lucas had wanted to have it finished by now but with everything going on he had fallen behind though watching Peyton's eyes light up at all furniture, toys and little baby things had Lucas happy that he had waited.
Peyton kept returning to the same cot and long combined dressing and change table, it was painted white with silver handles, "I like this" and they spent another fifteen minutes picking a few small things before paying and loading the car.
When they returned to the house Lucas made sure Peyton only carried the lightest of bags much to Peyton frustration, she grumbled as she watched Lucas move everything to the bedroom. They both knew Lucas would have to leave soon to pick up Noah, "I'll get Skills to come over tomorrow and help me put it all together"
With a smile Peyton covered her bump with her hand, Lucas couldn't help but notice how much she had popped over the last few weeks with each day seeming to grow double the amount of the day before. Then Lucas watched as her smile quickly faded and before his eyes Peyton began to crumple over, instinct speared Lucas forward ad he caught Peyton and held her up, "Peyt?"
"Ow" Peyton groaned gripping her stomach and panic filled Lucas, his stomach dropped, he caught her beneath her legs and Lucas lifted Peyton up.
"I've got you".
-x-
From her front window Brooke watched the quiet street, a small frown marred her perfect skin, Lucas should have picked Noah up an hour ago and Brooke's messages had gone unanswered. Noah was unware how late Lucas was, he has been ready from the morning and his day bag had been packed and left waiting by the door.
At the moment Noah was in his room occupying his time while Brooke waited, worries alone.
Her phone rung in her hand, Brooke answered it immediately "Luke, are you okay?"
"Hi, Brooke. I'm sorry to do this so late but I can't have Noah today" his tone was heavy, Brooke could hear the turmoil in Lucas' voice and knew he had no choice in this situation, Brooke knew something was wrong.
"Sure, that's fine… is everything okay?"
"I'm fine" his voice trembled.
Brooke sucked in a breath, "is Peyton okay?"
"Look… it's… I'll talk to you later Brooke, tell Noah I'm sorry and I will see him Monday" and the call was abruptly ended.
Despite the current state of their friendship the last thing Brooke wanted was Peyton to be hurt but Brooke as reminded that Peyton had Lucas to look out for her and right now she needed to focus on her own child.
It wasn't until there was a knock on the door that Brooke remembered the plans she had, with an apologetic face Brooke answered the door.
Julian's face fell, "why do I have the feeling you're about to back out of today?"
Brooke had decided to give Julian another chance and had been looking forward to their date today, "I'm sorry but something came up and I have Noah today"
"Oh"
A voice from behind Brooke cut in, "I can watch the little Einstein for ya so you can do… whatever two consenting adults want to do"
Brooke turned to Sam, "you shouldn't lose your Saturday"
"Jack was just going to come over anyway" the teenager shrugged and Brooke's expression turned even more negative.
Julian clapped his hands together, "I've got an idea, though I had a super romantic lunch planned at the most exclusive restaurant in Raleigh there is a carnival a couple of towns over" he smiled, "perhaps we could all go, even you Samson, and Jack of course, you two kids can go your separate way"
"You sure?" Brooke asked.
"Yeah! Snacks on me"
Sam chuckled, "I'm in" and she went to call Jack.
Seeing the smile on Sam's face Brooke whispered thank you to Julian and let him in to wait for them to all be ready. The way Julian was with the kids made Brooke more confident with her choice to give the producer a chance and her smile came back to her face.
-x-
As they walked through the outside door that leads to the kitchen Peyton stepped away, brushing aside Lucas' hand from her shoulder, Peyton dropped her bag onto the table her fingers pinching the bridge of her nose as she stood still thinking about the last couple of hours.
"Let's get you to bed" Lucas touched her lower back and Peyton allowed Lucas to lead her through the house as she walked in a daze, "the doctor said you need to rest."
When they reached the bedroom Peyton pushed Lucas away, blocking the doorway she held up her hand, "I'm fine, I can go to bed by myself"
"Peyt-"
"I need a minute" she deadpanned and Lucas was left to stare blankly at the closed door between them.
A few hours later Lucas quietly entered the room with a tray, Peyton was awake again leaning up on her pillows, her eyes red rimmed.
"I'm not hungry" she turned her cheek away.
Lucas went forward anyway, he left the juice and chicken salad on the empty side of the bed and sat next to Peyton, his hand rubbed her back. As much pain as he was in Lucas knew he needed to support Peyton, "you need to eat something"
"I don't need food at the moment. We haven't picked names or finished the nursery, how can…"
"We need a few days to process this, we can't just go through it all now"
Peyton turned her face to look at Lucas over her shoulder, "I don't need lunch and I don't need to process this, I don't know why I am even surprised, people always leave" her voice trailed off.
"You are not your mothers" Lucas was adamant, "I am scared too. Just the thought that we could lose you when you're having the baby is something I cannot even comprehend but the doctors are going to do everything they can to make sure you and the baby come out of this 100% healthy" he cupped her face, "our baby is going to grow up with their mother's hugs and kisses, you aren't going anywhere, okay?"
A single tear rolled down her cheek, "you can't promise that".
-x-
Thanks for reading. Please review and follow.
I kind of always was frustrated with how the show handled the placenta previa storyline with Peyton's pregnancy. I always was shocked it seemed Peyton and Lucas talked as if they were recommended or were thinking of a medical abortion due to the condition in which case WTF! Did the show not do research? These days a mother dying from this is so rare, discuss a bloody (no pun intended) c-sec and premmie not ENDING THE PREGNANCY TO SAVE PEYTON. Roll eyes. They act like its so serious and then what happens to Peyton's bloody bed rest. I guess I was shocked by this storyline because I know a few friends who went through this complication as well as the fact my mother had placenta previa when she was pregnant with me and that was 30 years ago, she spent months on bedrest in hospital before I was delivered by emergency c-sec six weeks early. I think they should be stressed and scared but to question and argue over whether to have the baby, extreme much.
-mickei