Chapter14
A/N This chapter follows the events of what Brooke was doing. Not knowing Nathan was facing Haley alone.
Setting Brooke's hotel-room
Brooke is in her hotel room Packing the rest of their stuff up. Making sure she wasn't forgetting anything. She was in the mist of packing when Ryan, Marissa, Seth and Summer walked in. The four of them were confused as to why she was packing.
Seth-"Brooke what are you doing?"
B-"Packing."
Seth-"Why are we going back?"
B-"No I'm not going back just yet."
M-"Then why are you packing?"
B-"Nathan asked me to move in for a few days. While I figure out what I'm going to do."
Sum-"When did this happen?"
B-"An hour ago."
Sum-"So you are moving in with Nathan." Ryan, Summer, Seth and Marissa gave Brooke a look. She knew what they were hinting at something. And she didn't like it.
B-"It's not what you guys think. But it's not what you think. He asked me to move in with they boys. So he can spend more time with them. It's not permanent. And I made a fuss about it. When he asked me. But I couldn't refuse when he said. I have had more time to bond with our sons. Then he has had. And I felt guilty once again for keeping Nathan and Alex from him all this time. In the short time he has known them. He is a good dad. I always knew he would be. I just didn't give him a chance at being a dad in the beginning. I was just to chicken to come clean with Nathan."
Ryan, Marissa, Summer and Seth looked at Brooke. And could tell she was feeling guilty. For keeping Nathan away from his sons for this long. Ryan walked up to her till he was standing in-front of her.
R-"Brooke look at me." Brooke looked up at him.
R-"You were only trying to do what was best for your sons."
B-"No Ryan it's not. I kept them away from their father. Because I was to chicken to face Nathan. And what we had done together."
Seth-"Brooke that is the guilt talking. But everything is fine now. You told Nathan what you came here to tell him."
B-"I would have told him the truth. He would have been there when they were born. He would have encouraged them to fight. Nathan won't say it to my face. But he's a little furious with me. That I didn't tell him. He missed alot."
M-"Brooke no he didn't not really. You told him before he missed anymore. He hasn't missed them rolling over yet. First tooth, walking, crawling, their first words. They haven't done all that yet. And from what we can already tell. The boys love their dad already." Brooke smiled.
B-"Yeah I know."
M-"Brooke don't start second guessing yourself now. What matters now is. That Nathan knows and he's a good dad."
B-"I know what you all saying is true. But I look back and wonder if things would have been. If I told Nathan from the start. But I would have moved to California. And not met you all. If it weren't for uncle Sandy Aunt Kirsten and you all. I don't know how my life would have turned out. Most certainty not like it had. I have 2 wonderful sons, great friends. I feel at peace for the first tome in my life."
Seth-"I'm glad to see you happy Brooke. You deserve to be happy."
B-"Thanks Seth. So what is your guys plans. I don't know how much longer I will be here. So if you guys need to get back I understand."
R-"We haven't talked about it yet. But in the meantime we will stay here."
Sum-"What are your plans for today?"
B-"I'm going to have lunch with Peyton. I promised I would catch up with her. Then after that I'm going to Nathan's to see my sons. Why don't you come with me. I really would like you to meet her."
M-"We don't want to intrude."
B-"You won't be."
R-"Alright but let's go. I'm getting kind of hungry."
M-"You are always hungry babe." Marissa laughed at the look on Ryan's face.
B-"OK just let me get the rest of this stuff ready. And out to the car."
R-"We'll help." 10 minutes later everything was in the car and they took off.
Setting Karen's Cafe
Peyton is sitting at the counter waiting for Brooke. She turned when she heard the door open. And saw Brooke walk in with the others. Brooke walked up to Peyton and they embraced each other.
P-"Hey Brooke."
B-"Right back at you." Brooke turned to the others.
B-"Peyton I would like you to meet some friends of mine. Ryan Atwood, Marissa Copper, Summer Roberts. And my adorable sometimes dorky cousin Seth Cohen. Guys this is my best friend Peyton Sawyer."
P-"Hey everyone." Shaking each other their hands.
R, M, S, S-"Hey."
P-"Why don't we sit down."
B-"You don't mind if they join us."
P-"No not at all. I would like to hear everything about what happened."
B-"I already told you what had happened."
P-"Brooke you are talking to someone that know all about you."
B-"Peyton there is nothing more to tell."
P-"Liar." Peyton knew Brooke's wasn't telling her everything.
M-"Why don't we sit down. And Brooke can tell the whole thing."
B-"Marissa I told Peyton everything there is to tell."
M-"Brooke I know you too. She won't tell anyone what you tell her."
B-"Alright let's sit down."
As they were heading to a table. Lucas and Jake walked in. They all waved to each other. Lucas and Jake made their way over to them. Jake walked up to Peyton and kissed her cheek.
J-"Hey baby."
P-"Hi yourself." Smiling back to him.
J-"What are you doing here?"
P-"Having lunch with Brooke. And you?"
J-"Hanging out with Lucas. We are going to the river-court to shoot some hoops."
P-"Sounds fun."
Brooke turned to Jake and Lucas.
B-"Jake, Lucas I would like you to meet some friends of mine. Ryan Atwood, Marissa Cooper, Summer Roberts and my cousin Seth Cohen. Guys these two are Jake Jagelski and Lucas Scott. Jake is Peyton's boyfriend. And Lucas is Nathan's half-brother and the boys uncle." They all shook hands. Seth looked at Lucas and glared at him.
Seth-"So you are Lucas."
L-"yeah."
Seth-"you know I should really be mad at you. For hurting my cousin the way you did. Not to mention the way you treated Nathan and Alex."
B-'Seth is't OK. Lucas and I settled things this morning."
L-"It's OK Brooke."
B-"Lucas why don't Ryan and Seth hang out with you."
M-"That is not a bad idea."
L-"that is fine with me. Jake do you mind if they come along."
J-"No I don't mind. What do you say guys. Want to shoot hoops with us?"
R&S-"Yeah."
Seth-"Beats listening to girlie talk all afternoon. Yeah hoops sounds good to me." With that said Brooke busted out laughing. And couldn't stop.
P-"What is so funny Brooke?"
B-"Nothing if you know Seth at all. You would know he is athletically challenged." Ryan, Marissa and Summer started laughing as well.
B-"Seth knows less about basketball than I do."
Seth-"I don't know why are you laughing Brooke. You don't know that much about it either."
B-"Seth you forget I was a cheerleader for the basketball team. But I don't have patients for playing it. Lucas tried teaching me once. I know the basics of it. And that is all I need to know."
L-"Come on guys we'll have fun."
Seth-"Alright let's go" Jake kissed Peyton, Ryan kissed Marissa, Seth kissed Summer. Brooke watching all that. She wished she could get a kiss like that. But what she really wanted that kiss to come from Nathan. But she will never reveal that to anyone. With last goodbyes to everyone. Lucas, Jake, Ryan and Seth all walked out of the cafe.
As soon as the guys left. The girls went to sit down at a table. Karen came over to them.
K-"What can I get you ladies?"
B-"I'll have a burger and fries with a diet coke."
K-"And you all?"
M, S, P-"The same."
K-"I'll be back with your order shortly." Karen walked back to the counter. To put their order in. Peyton turned to Brooke.
P-"Brooke I want to hear everything from the night of formal to the day you returned here."
B-"Peyton I've told you everything there is to tell. I slept with Nathan. I got pregnant didn't intend to but I did. My pregnancy was a normal one. The first couple of months were pretty tough with the morning sickness and all. Throughout my whole pregnancy the only fear I had was. The child then later children I was carrying were Felix's. I know I would have loved them if they turned out to be his. But then the most amazing moment I had when I found out I was pregnant. Was when I heard the heartbeat for the first time. Peyton in that moment I'll never forget. I knew I loved them more than I thought possible. But I did I didn't even care that they might be Felix's. I was 3 months pregnant when I found out I was pregnant with twins. That was also scary. I mean taking care of one child is hard. But two that was alot to take in. But once I did I couldn't have been more happier. That all changed early in my 8th month. I woke up in the middle of the night with alot of cramping. Something was telling me something wasn't right. I was scared and I didn't know what to do. But I walked out of the beach house and into the main house to wake up my aunt. She took me to the hospital right away. When I was checked in they did an ultrasound. And found out their cords were wrapped around their necks. I've was never been that scared in my entire life. It still was a little early for them to be born. It was too soon. When they told me they had to do an emergency C-Section right away. Hearing all of this scared me even more. My aunt Kirsten was with me the whole time. But she wasn't the one I really wanted by my side. It was Nathan the one I wanted with me. I know he would have supported me. Trying to keep me calm. When they were born they went right into NICU. They wouldn't let me see them until a day after they were born. But when I looked at them. I knew right away they were Nathan's. But they both were so tiny. Alex weight 6 pounds. But Nathan only weighted about 5 pounds. Nathan was the one that struggled more than Alex did. There was a couple times in the first month. They didn't think either of them would make it. But I knew they both were going to pull threw. I knew because they were both just like their daddy. Both strong and brave just like their dad. I had a paternity test done while they were in the hospital. And they confirmed what I already knew. That Nathan Scott was the father of my children. And to my relief I finally knew who fathered them. I wouldn't leave their sides for the first 2 weeks of their lives. Everyone else around me was worried. But every day my sons proved the doctors wrong. They started gaining weight. And getting stronger and stronger everyday. And when I walked out of that hospital with both of my sons. Was an amazing feeling. But then from alot of convincing from my friends. That I knew it was time for Nathan to know he was a father. I was going to tell him that day at the river-court in private. I didn't want to tell him the way I did. But as you know now. I have seen him with the boys. I can see already how much he loves them. And the boys love him already."
Brooke stopped talking. And remained quit for sometime.
Sum-"Brooke are you OK?"
B-"Yeah I'm fine. Now that the boys and Nathan have bonded together. I don't know if I could ever separate them now."
P-"What do you mean?"
B-"I only came back to do what needed to be done. Then I was going to to back. Now everything has changed."
P-"Brooke you were going to leave again?"
B-"Yeah I was. Peyton I'm sorry. But Tree Hill isn't my home anymore. I went somewhere. Where people didn't judge me for what I did. They supported me. They accepted me for who I am. And I felt like I had a family for the first time in my life. And they were there for me and my sons."
P-"Brooke I can't believe you would say that. Do you know how worried sick about I was about you. You up and leave without telling anyone where you were going. Or if you would be back. Never-mind you don't call me your best friend. Ever since you left. There wasn't a day I did think about you. Wondering if you were OK. If you would have told me what was happening with you. I could have been there for you."
B-"Peyton I'm sorry I put you threw that. I couldn't tell you. Because I knew you would tell Nathan. And I didn't want to ruin things between any of us. Especially Nathan and Haley. Haley and I were starting to become friends. I didn't want anyone to hate me."
Before anyone could say anything. Karen came back with their order. Karen smiled and Brooke and the others.
K"Enjoy your meal."
All-"thank you." Karen turned to Brooke.
K-"Brooke where are Nathan and Alex? I would have loved to have seen them again."
B-"I'll bring them by whenever you want. But right now they are with their daddy." She said smiling.
K-"Hope to see them soon." With that Karen turned and left. Brooke took her cell-phone out of her purse. And started dialing.
P-"Who are you calling?" Brooke didn't say any thing. waiting for him to pick up. She felt relieved when he finally picked up.
A/N Think back to last chapter Read it again to know what was said.On the phone conversion between Nathan and Brooke.
When Brooke got off the phone. All 3 girls were looking at her. Brooke saw the look of their faces.
B-"What?"
M-"You know what."
B-"No I don't."
P-"If no one is going to say it then I am. What is going on with you and Nathan?"
B-"Nothing we are friends and co-parents together."
M, P, S- Um-um." Brooke looked at them.
B-"Ladies you are reading to much into this. Yes I think Nathan is a great person. That night of the formal. I saw a side of Nathan I've never seen before. The side he doesn't let most see. He can be awfully sweet when he is not being a jerk. He is a good dad to our boys. Just from the last couple of days. I've also seen the way our boys are with him. Nathan and Alex haven't know Nathan that long. But in their minds. That man that holds them and comforts them. They acknowledged him as daddy."
P-"Brooke you and Nathan have a connection. That not alot of people have."
B-"Yeah we share children."
P-"It goes alot deeper than that. You weren't here when Nathan turned back into his old self. He was drinking alot. Cutting school. When he did show up he was pretty much drunk. He was rude to everybody. He pretty much bit every ones head off. If it hadn't been for Deb, Jake, Lucas and myself. Who knows how far gone he would have got."
B-"Poor Nathan. Peyton I just couldn't face what we had done. That is why I left. But it wasn't because I left. It was because Haley left him."
P-"Brooke you aren't really listening. His whole attitude changed. When you left."
B-"Peyton don't read to much into that OK."
End of chapter 14
Next chapter
Haley shows up at the café
Brooke and Peyton see Haley
Brooke and Haley get into it.