Authors note: I hope Christmas treated you all good and I'm extremely grateful that so many of you reviewed even though I was stupid enough to post a chapter the day before the big day. Huge thanks!
So, I've noticed that everybody seems to give references to songs and chapter-titles… Well, this is my first fic so you can't really be mad at me for not to ;)
I'll promise to do it from now on and if you want to know anything about previous references, then feel free to ask and I'll tell you. The title of this chapter is from a song by Neil Young.

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CHAPTER 14 – The Needle And The Damage Done

Brooke watches closely as the nurse takes a final bloodtest. Needles don't scare her, more of the opposite, and she has always loved watching ER on TV (even though that probably had more to do with that cute dark-haired guy playing one of the doctors). Lucas on the other hand is scared of needles and she smiles as the nurse gives her a band-aid. He had almost fainted that night when he had that chinese tattoo. It's weird how a guy like Lucas can be such a girl when it comes to things like that, she thinks. He's always so strong and unafraid otherwise.

It's a clear morning; she can see that through the open blinds, and she can't wait to get out of here. After spending three days in the hospital she more than tired of the place. Lucas is coming to pick her up any minute and he's bringing Rachel with him since Brooke honestly doesn't trust his fashion-sense. Rachel's mission is therefore to bring Brooke something to wear. And nothing is ever going to feel as good as getting out of this horrible gown, she thinks.

"So, I think that's all I need" the nurse says sweetly and smiles. "But be sure to wait for the doctor to release you. He should be here in about fifteen minutes."

Brooke nods and thanks her and when the nurse leaves the room she swings her legs over the side of the bed and walks over to the window. She's feeling much better. The cut in her head is healing and her chest isn't half as sore anymore. But best o all, she thinks while putting a hand over her belly, there hadn't been any more complications with her baby.

There's a light knock on the door and as she turns she sees Rachel walk in followed by Lucas.

"Good morning to you my slutty friend" Rachel chirps.

"Rachel! I'm so glad to see you" Brooke offers without taking any notice of the 'slut'-remark. "Did you get my stuff?"

She practically skips over to her redheaded friend, or at least as close to skipping as her ribs allow her, and she tries to look into the bag Rachel's carrying. But Lucas puts his arm around her and guides her back towards the bed.

"What are you doing up pretty girl?" he says.

She smiles at the worry that is etched all over his face. And she reaches out and touches his cheek with her fingertips causing him to pause and glance at her.

"Lighten up Broody. I won't break, okay? Remember, they're releasing me today."

Lucas doesn't look convinced. "They're releasing you to bed-rest baby. I'm pretty sure that bed-rest means that you are supposed to be on your back in bed… And believe me; I will make sure that you stay that way even if it means that I have to lie on top of you."

"Oh, good decision" Rachel fake-coughs sarcasticly, "That's kind of what got you two in this baby-mess in the first place, isn't it? And Lucas, not to but in or anything but I don't even think that's Brooke's favorite position…"

Brooke really wants to keep a straight face. Lucas is just worried about her and she doesn't want to hurt his feelings, but Rachel's comment has her bursting out in fit of laughter that has her holding her ribs. Rachel always finds the naughty undertone in everything people say, kind of like herself. And even Lucas smiles.

"And how would you know that Rach?" he says with his arm still protectively around Brooke's waist. "Has there been some girl-on-girl action that I'm not aware of?"

-----------------

The doctor releases Brooke after giving her strict orders to stay off her feet as much as possible for the first week, and Lucas tries to remember everything he says down to the last word. And in the car on their way home, his eyes keep trailing off to her face every other minute just to check that she's okay.

She seems fine though, laughing and gossiping with Rachel. And wearing jeans, a brightly pink tank-top and even some make-up, she looks like before the accident. He's just worried that Brooke will refuse to follow the doctor's orders. His girlfriend is the regular ball of energy and making her do anything slowly is a mission impossible, unless it comes to schoolwork of course.

But when they drop Rachel off outside school Brooke actually stays in the car without fussing, and she lets him take her home and to bed without any protests.

"Now get to school Broody" she smiles and leans back to watch the TV he's put in there for her comfort. "How am I going to manage my finals if you're not studying for them?"

"Ha ha… really funny." He kisses her and then hesitantly goes back out to the car. He's made sure that she has everything she needs while he's gone and his mother would be home from work in just an hour or two, but he still feels bad for leaving her alone.

To make matters worse school is slower than usual and he sits through his first classes just waiting to go back home, but at lunch he finds Nathan who cheers him up a bit with talking about the upcoming NBA-drafts and Haley's sudden addiction to Oprah and pickles. And while laughing he suddenly looks up and sees Peyton walking up to their table.

"Hi guys…"

She sits down and Lucas realizes that he hasn't seen her since that first night at the hospital. She looks tired, kind of worn out, and he wonders why. This time he doesn't ask though, last time it hadn't turned out the way he wanted it to.

"Hi Peyt…"

She gives Nathan a friendly hug but she doesn't attempt to touch Lucas and he feels a little bad for what he said to her at the hospital. It had been kind of harsh but at the same time it was how he had felt. How he still felt. Since Peyton told him about her feelings everything between them is just awkward.

She watches him over the table. "So, how's Brooke? She was released from the hospital this morning, right?"

Haley must have told her, he thinks. She was still hanging out with Peyton once in a while.

"Yeah, she's home resting. She won't be back to school until next week."

Peyton smiles shyly. "Oh, okay… well, could you tell her that… I mean… um… just tell her to get well…"

She stuttering as if embarrassed and he nods. "I will." She actually seems genuinely concerned. And not that it surprises him, he knows that Peyton misses the friendship with Brooke, he just wishes that she would show this side when around his girlfriend. But as soon as Brooke and Peyton got closer than ten feet, they would both flip to bitch-mode.
Switching the topic he asks about her dad and they talk as friends for the rest of the lunch-hour, before he finally grabs his books and walks off to his chemistry-class.
Without Brooke he's just bored out of his mind. God, where was Haley when he needed her?

-----------------

Haley is waiting by Lucas' locker after fifth period. She wants an update on Brooke and she misses hanging out with him since she's hardly seen him the last couple of days, other then when she was visiting Brooke in the hospital. Nathan is driving her crazy at the moment. He's not being mean or anything but he just gets on her nerves and she's blaming it all on her raging hormones. Spending some time with level-headed Lucas is exactly what she needs.

And finally she sees him coming down the corridor and she smiles and waves.

"Hey Hales" he says smiling back at her. "I've been looking for you."

"Well how fitting since I've been looking for you too. Do you have any more classes?"

"No, why?"

She links her arm with his and pulls him towards the entrance.

"Because I miss you and I were thinking that we could go to the store and get some groceries and then we could head over to your house and cook some food for that bed-resting girl of yours. She's home now, right?"

He's smile grows wider. "Have I told you lately how great you are Haley James-Scott?"

"Actually I don't think you have mister… But you can tell me in the car."

They drive to the foodstore and while picking up everything they need Lucas starts telling her about this comedy he had watched with Brooke last night. He quotes it, making funny voices, and she's laughs. It's good to see him happy and she knows that Brooke is the one responsible for this big smile on her best friends face. Lucas and Brooke just complete each other, she thinks. Brooke was always calling the relationship she herself had with Nathan an epic romance. A life-lasting love. But what Lucas has with Brooke is just as powerful.

She thinks back to hers and Nathans rehearsal dinner and remembers Brooke on the stage, looking completely stunning, and saying that her and Nathan made them all believe in true love. And she hopes that Brooke does, even though it was that same night that Peyton told Brooke that she still had feelings for Lucas. And if Brooke doesn't believe, then Haley decides to believe enough for the both of them, because with everything Brooke and Lucas had gone through during the last two years, Haley wouldn't be surprised if Lucas popped the big question to Brooke even before senior year was over.

"Have you ever thought about marrying Brooke?" she asks and Lucas quirks his eyebrow.

"That was kind of out of the blue… How did you come to think of that?"

She laughs. "Don't be so nosy. Just answer my question. Have you?"

He actually blushes now and she can't help but to find it cute.

"Of course I've thought about it… Lots of times… but I'm not sure she'd want to though."

He looks a little embarrassed and starts to grab some tomatoes from a shelf and she looks at him intently.

"Why?" she asks but when seeing him blush even more she gasps. "Lucas Eugene Scott! Did you ask Brooke to marry you without telling me?!"

He quickly shakes his head. "Um…NO! It's just that she… um… Do you remember that weekend when we were at Rachel's cabin? When Nathan stole your ring?"

"Yeah…"

"Well he asked me to hold on to it and I was kind of showing it to Brooke one morning… and well, she thought I was proposing to her… and she just made a face and said that marrying was crazy…"

"Did she say that?" Haley has stopped now, in the middle of the isle, but she desperately wants to hear the end of this story. Lucas might think that Brooke isn't the romantic type of girl, but she knows better. Hiding behind Brooke's sexy bitch-exterior there is a pretty in pink-princess dying to get out and Haley can't believe that Brooke would have said that marrying Luke was crazy. But Lucas makes a face.

"No actually she said; 'Are you proposing to me?! Lucas, this is really Naley'…"

He's imitating Brooke's voice and Haley bursts out laughing. That answer is more like the Brooke she knows. Right then Lucas cell phone rings in his pocket and he pulls it out while putting the vegetables in the cart. Haley grabs it and keeps going as he answers, still laughing about what he just said. Really Naley, huh? She is going to get Brooke for this later.

"Lucas here… Oh, um… hi Mr. Davis…"

Haley turns around and she can see Lucas facial expression stiffen and his smile fades.

"No, actually I'm at the store and she is still… yes she's feeling much better… yes, but…… okay… Yes sir… Yes… goodbye."

Lucas flips his cell phone closed and Haley watches him breathe in and out for a couple of seconds. She lets go of the cart and walks up to him. If that was any way close to who she thought it had been on the phone, then this was obviously not an everyday-happening.

"Hey what was that about?" she asks, touching his hand. "Was that Mr. Davis as in Brooke's dad?"

Lucas nods and then his facial expression changes again, this time to a stressed out frown.

"Shit, I have to get back and talk to Brooke! She doesn't know I told her parents…"

Haley looks at him confused. "What's going on here" she thinks. "Told them what Luke?"

"I tried to get a hold of them when she was in the hospital… I didn't know how badly hurt she was or if she was even going to be okay. So I kind of blurted out that she was pregnant and that she was having a miscarriage on her dad's answering machine…"

Haleys mouth falls open and she stares at Lucas. He's looking like he's going to crawl out of his skin. "What do you mean" she asks, still feeling very much confused. "They didn't know that Brooke was having a kid?"

Lucas looks a little pale as he shakes his head no, and she just grabs his hand pulling him out of the store.

"Fuck this Luke!" she blurts out. "What are we standing here for? Lets go! Brooke is going to go crazy…"

--------------

He tries to call Brooke close to twenty times while driving back to his house but there's no answer and on top of everything else he worries that maybe something has happened to her. Haley's hammering him with questions of why Brooke hadn't told her parents yet and about what her father had said and he gives her short responses.

He knows Brooke had done an honest try in telling them a couple of weeks ago, but they were always busy and there was never the right time. So finally they both decided to let the 'big event' slide until Mr. and Mrs. Davis were back in California. Of course, he also knows that Brooke had been all too happy to postpone since she was sure that her dad would go completely mental when he found out.

"But her dad going mental is nothing compared to how Brooke is going react when I tell her what I've done" he says to Haley as he parks in the street outside his own house.

He walks up to the backdoor and goes straight into his room, finding Brooke on the bed sketching on new clothing-ideas. Her head bobs up and down and he realizes that she's listening to her i-pod. That is why she hasn't heard the phone.
Haley walks in behind him and now Brooke looks up and sees them both.

"Hey Tudor-wife!" she says happily and pulls out the headphones. Then she winks at him. "Oh, and hi boyfriend…"

He smiles sheepishly at her and leans down to kiss her, savoring the last moments of peace between them before he wakes up the sleeping dragon more closely known as Brooke Davis' rage. Brooke kisses him back and then looks back at Haley.

"I thought that you weren't coming here until later… But don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're here! I'm dying out of sheer boredom…"

In his eye he can see Haley shooting of an awkward-looking smile towards her friend and he realizes he just has to come out and say this, the sooner the better. Maybe Brooke feels the weird tension because her eyes start going back and forth between him and Haley.

"Hey guys, why are you behaving so strange?"

He sits down next to her.

"Um, Brooke… your dad called me fifteen minutes ago… um… He's kind of angry…"

He watches as her eyebrow shoots up, leaving her to look at him suspiciously. "My dad? …um…why would my dad call your cell phone Luke? How did he even get that number?"

He closes his eyes and wonders if there is any way he can get out of this without having Brooke throw a complete temper-tantrum. But no.

"Probably because I kind of called him when you were in the hospital…" he says silently, looking at her closely to try and foresee any reaction. "I called him before I knew if you were going to be okay… I was just so scared and I guess… I guess I kind of told him… on the answering machine…"

Brooke's eyes become huge and she just looks at him with disbelief. It's as if he slapped her over the face.

"You told him what? That… that I'm pregnant?"

He nods and swallows loudly. They had talked about this several times the last couple of weeks and this was certainly not the way they'd practiced it. The plan was to call them and maybe have them to come to Tree Hill so that they could sit down and tell them face to face.

Brooke shoots up from the bed and starts pacing back and forth and Haley finally jumps in to help him.

"Brooke, calm down… I bet they're not that angry. They were probably just worried to hear that you were hurt, right Lucas? You shouldn't be out of bed Tigger… Think of the baby… Please Brooke…"

But if looks could kill then both him and Haley would be lying dead on the floor. "Don't tell me what to do!" she shouts. "Have you any idea how bad this is?! My dad is going to kill me!"

Lucas gets up and grabs her, pulling her into his arms. She's stiff as a board and she tries to break free from him but he holds her calmly. And finally, after pouring soothing words over her, he gets her to go back to the bed.

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" she asks and the anger is still burning in her eyes. "It's been three days Luke… I could have prepared for this. Because I'm guessing that he wants me to call him back, right?"

"Yeah, as soon as possible… I'm sorry Brooke. I totally forgot about it since I actually didn't talk to him. And all that was in my head was you and the baby…"

Haley sits down beside Brooke and puts her arm around her. And Brooke doesn't push her away. Instead she just sighs and looks up into the ceiling.

"Seriously, what have I done to deserve all this?"

------------------

Haley eventually leaves and later that evening Lucas sits with his back rested against the bed's headboard, trying to scan through his history-homework. But it's boring him out of his mind and his head is full of more pressing matters. He still thinks about Brooke's phonecall to her parents earlier. It had been short and cold. Brooke had merely just confessed to being pregnant and he had heard her father screaming angrily at the other end. And then Brooke had just hung up and stated that she didn't want to talk about it. She's sitting over at his computer now, using his IM to talk to Rachel and he looks at his watch.

"Hey cheery. It's been twenty minutes. Get back to bed."

Brooke just sticks her tongue out at him and keeps typing. She's not mad at him anymore, at least he doesn't think so. But even if, she's been up and about too long. So he gets up, walks over to her and promptly lifts her up in his arms. She protests loudly but he just laughs and carries her over to the bed.

"I gave you twenty minutes. The time's up and you need to rest. But if you're nice and do as I tell you, then I will stay in bed with you, okay?"

He sets her down and gets back to his previous position against the headboard before patting his own chest.

"Come sit here with me" he says. "I'll read you something."

Brooke pretends to be annoyed first, but then she crawls up between his legs and leans her back against his chest, and he savors the feel of her body next to his. At home and safe, and not angry anymore. But he really can't blame her for throwing a fit earlier, he had totally made a mess of things. One of the greatest things with his beautiful girlfriend though, is that she never holds a grudge for long. Her anger is flaming red and passionate, but short-lived. And when she calmed down and realized how scared he had been that night she simply forgave him and made out with him for half an hour straight, saying that he needed a little loving for being such a caring boyfriend.

He picks up the history book once more and browses through the pages to find the right chapter. He might as well keep her up to date with the schoolwork he thinks, but Brooke seems to have other ideas. She kisses his fingers, one by one, and finally places a kiss over the scar at his thumb, the one from his childhood fishing-trip.

"You still miss him, huh?" she asks softly and there's a tug at his heart when thinking of Keith.

"Yeah, even more now with the babies coming… He'll never get to see either his own child or mine…"

For the second time he puts the book down and strokes Brooke over the hair, untangling her chocolate brown waves with his free hand. She brushes her lips over the scar again.

"I know he would've wanted to be here for you Luke… but in some way he still is here, you know. And maybe if we have a boy, we could name him after Keith?"

"I love you Brooke"

He kisses her temple and wraps his arms around her, carefully since she's still a little sore. This was the girlfriend he knew and loved so much, the one that always was there for him giving him comfort. The one that remembered the little things he told her, like about that scar coming from his fishing-trip with Keith. But even with her here it's hard to think about his uncle. Keith is still the closest to a father he ever had.

Brooke smiles up at him and he kisses her softly. At least he'd had Keith and his mom to love him while growing up, he thinks, and they had always supported him and his decisions. It hurts him to think about Brooke's strained relationship to her parents. She didn't seem to ever have been able to lean back at them for anything other then money.

He remembers telling Keith once that he worried too much about things, back when his mom was still in Italy. And Keith answered;

Well, I've gotta worry once for myself and once for your mother…"

Kind of how he was feeling right now, worrying once for Brooke and once for their baby, every time she just moved or frowned. Brooke has only been home from the hospital for a day and she's probably already tired of him fussing over her, but with this new issue he's even more worried. She doesn't let him in on things concerning her family. She never has. Her relationship with her parents was like this untouchable big secret.
And at this moment he wishes so much for Keith to still be alive and here.

"You could worry how ever much you want uncle Keith", he thinks, "just as long as you would give me advice. I have no clue how to be a good dad or a good boyfriend."

He keeps watching Brooke and runs his hand softly over her belly. He can feel her eyes on him but he's loosing himself in memories, thinking about that morning in the kitchen when he and Brooke had just started dating, and his uncle had accepted her as his girlfriend even before Lucas had even introduced her to him. Smiling to himself he thinks that Keith always was a good judge of character. Keith had picked Brooke over Peyton right from the start, even before his own heart made the choice.

"You know, he was always there for me…" he says quietly. "And I just took it for granted…"

Brooke untangles herself from him and turns in his arms so that she's facing him. Her fingers softly touches his face and he leans his cheek into her hand.

"You didn't take Keith for granted Lucas. You were always there for him as well and he loved you. Keith was a really wonderful guy, and even though I didn't know him half as well as you did, I can see that you picked up a lot of his traits…"

She leans in and kisses him, making him feel better with her soft lips. But in the back of his mind he can't help but wonder what Keith would say if he saw all the mess that he had created since the day of the shooting. Hurting Brooke, making her pregnant, then acting like a clueless jerk. Pushing away Peyton and then not being able to keep Brooke safe…
Still leaning into her hand he says, mostly to himself;

"How did we end up like this?"

Brooke looks down at her belly before meeting his eyes with a confused look. "What do you mean? Do you mean the pregnancy?"

"No, I meant all of it. Keith's death, us being teenage-parents, your friendship with Peyton all destroyed…

"I don't know. But we'll be alright Lucas. You said so yourself."

She's starting to look a little worried and he decides to stick with the pregnancy-question for now. It's the one that is easiest to talk about. Smiling he cradles her in his arms again.

"How did we end up pregnant by the way?" he says softly. "We never talked about that, right?"

"Well, it's called sex Luke… we did it a lot you know. And I can't wait 'til the doctor clears us to do it again… "

There's a glimmer in her eyes that he knows all too well and he laughs. Of course he didn't mean it like that but she's right with what she says. During their entire relationship they have always been at it like bunnies. And with a girlfriend looking like Brooke, who could really blame him, he thinks. But they were always good with protecting them selves. Brooke must be thinking about the same thing because her dimples suddenly show as she says;

"Do you remember that day when we met Deb in the drugstore? We had been dating only a week maybe…"

He laughs. "Yeah, how can I forget? Your face was priceless when you turned around and saw her. I mean a pack of Trojan's in one hand and spray whipped cream in the other… Not the picture of innocence, right? And what was with that 'it makes more sense to buy in bulk'-comment? You never think about saving money otherwise."

He keeps on laughing and she hits his arm in faked anger.

"Hey! I never said I am innocent! And I was just saving us another trip to the store later that evening."

She pouts, pushing out her lower lip, and he hugs her. "Well aren't you the smartest girlfriend on a fifty mile radius…" he says laughing but then he gets serious again. "But Brooke, we were always protecting ourselves. The drugstore could probably live off of the money we spent on condoms alone. And you had that patch, right?"

She nods. "Yeah, but Haley was on the patch too so I think we can rule that out as a non-working contraceptive… and anyways, I think I know when and where I got pregnant…"

Raising an eyebrow he looks at the girl in his arms and thinks. She blushes a little and he tucks a strand of her dark hair behind her ear.

"Was it at Rachel's cabin?" he asks before she has a chance to continue. He's guessing because that night had been one of the few times when they hadn't used a condom, and when she nods he's actually kind of relieved. That night had been amazing. He and Brooke had had such a hard time with their relationship after the shooting, but that night they had made love in front of the fireplace. And afterwards they had just laid there. Naked, tangled in each other and wrapped up in blankets, sipping red wine. And they had talked. Really talked for the first time in weeks. Come to think of it, that was the night he told her about the scar on his thumb.

Silently he counts the weeks backwards and realizes that she is probably right.

"I'm glad it was that night" he says and kisses her. "It feels good that our child was created when we were both happy. And out of love."

"Mm… it was a good night wasn't it…" Brooke looks up at him with a wicked smile. "I kept 'Brooking' myself to that memory all the time when you were away on that trip with your mom."

It takes a second before he gets it, but then they both burst out laughing and they keep laughing until his mom shouts that the dinner is ready half an hour later.

-----------------------------

"So how are you feeling now Brooke?" Karen asks motherly over the kitchen-table.

"I'm good now, I promise" she says smiling and puts some more pasta on her plate. "I just hope that I'm not intruding… I mean, you're pregnant too and I don't want to be in your way…"

Karen smiles and waves at her dismissingly. "Brooke. You are never in the way in this house. After having you living here last year I almost feel like you're my daughter. And I've been so worried about you lately that it feels good to have you under me watchful eye."

Lucas laughs. "Thanks mom. I'll take all help I can get with watching this one. She's a handful."

Brooke smiles too as Lucas and his mother engage in taking about pregnancies, bedrests and her over-all health, and she continuous eating. She enjoys sitting here in the cozy interior with Lucas and his mother. It feels natural. It's a little strange to be living in a real home again, but it's strange in a good way.
Living with Rachel hasn't been that bad and they've had lost of fun as roommates, but sitting down like this, over a home-cooked meal with a caring grown-up, has happened much too rarely in her life. Tonight it feels especially good because it makes the situation with her parents a little less painful. If she only had a mother like Karen, who would just hug her once in a while… But she doesn't and she just has to play the cards that life dealt her, right?

In the corner of her eye she sees Lucas watching her lovingly and for fun she touches his thigh under the table, knowing how stressed it makes him when his mom's sitting there. He blushes as her hand trails further up his leg and she smiles.

"I should probably get used to sleeping on the couch again" she hears him say with an almost sad expression on his face. And Brooke is surprised to see Karen shaking her head on the other side of the table.

"What would be the use in that Lucas?" she says smiling. "Brooke is already pregnant, right? And as I understand it, not letting you two sleep in the same bed hasn't stopped you before. So you might as well both stay in your room. I mean, you need the practice on living together for later when you both have your own place at collage."

Lucas looks shocked but Brooke can't help but clap her hands in delight. "Thank you Karen! I hate sleeping alone. And thanks for making me dinner, this was soo good…"
Finally the gods had turned something in her favor. She would get to snuggle up to Lucas every night, without having to sneak or worry about curfews.

But then there's a sound form Lucas' room and she recognizes it as her cellphone ringing. So much for the gods being up-eased, she thinks and tries to keep herself for sighing out loud. Lucas looks up.

"Isn't that your phone Brooke? Wait, I'll get it for you…"

He starts to get up but she shakes her head. "No Luke, don't bother. I'll just call back when we've finished dinner."

He sits back down again. She could have easily let him get it but there had been a special ring-tone so she already knew who it was calling, and she didn't want to talk to him. Her father had said enough during the few short minutes that they had talked earlier. The damage was already done and she actually doesn't care if she ever speaks to him again. But she makes sure that the smile is intact on her face, for Lucas sake and for Karen's. They were both doing so much for her right now and they didn't deserve being dragged into her problems.

Karen smiles at her before getting up to clear away the plates.

"If you're finished eating, then it's time for you to head back to bed Brooke. Lucas, help her get settled and then get back in here to do the dishes."

Lucas rolls his eyes but gets up. "You heard her Brooke," he says standing up. "Chop, chop…"

---------------

When Brooke is safely back in bed Lucas returns to his mother in the kitchen. She's standing by the stove putting away clean pots and pans and he gives her a hug from behind.

"Thanks mom" he says simply before plunging his hands down into the soapy water in the sink.

"For what son?"

He looks at her before shrugging with a smile. "For helping me when I'm completely lost. I've been concentrating on Brooke so much lately that I haven't even asked you how you're feeling about all this. Are you sure that you are okay with her staying her?"

"Absolutely Lucas. I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Good. But I meant what I said before about wanting to help you with your pregnancy as well. I can do both. You're carrying Keith's child and I want to do for that baby what Keith did for me…"

Karen puts down the pot she's holding and turns to face him. There is a proud smile on her face, proud but a little bit sad. "Lets sit down for a moment, I think we need to talk."
He dries his hands and sits back down by the table. His mother runs her hand trough his hair.

"I know you feel like you're in some kind of emotional debt towards Keith, Lucas. But you're not. Keith never had to help me with you, he wanted to. And having his child is so different from when I had you…" She strokes his hand on the table. "I was so young when I had you and I had no clue how to manage even the simplest things. But now I'm a grown woman, I have a wonderful son who is all grown and I know how to do this. I'm financially stable, I have friends and family and you don't have to worry about me…"

"But mom…"

"No Luke. You will be a great big brother when the day comes but you have your own child to worry about and I just want you to be the son that I raised and take care of those responsibility's with pride, okay? Concentrate on your girlfriend and your child to be, get Brooke to her doctor's appointments, make her feel safe and start preparing for your life together. That is the way to make Keith proud of you Lucas. By giving your child what he gave you…"

He sighs, knowing that his mother is right. "Brooke's parents just found out that she's pregnant… and they're kind of upset with her. Her dad really screamed at her on the phone earlier…"

His mother looks surprised. "She hasn't told them until now?"

"No, I mean you know the relationship she has with them… I just wish she had them to rely on, like I have you."

Smiling she strokes his cheek. "I'm sure they'll come around. They must love Brooke even if they're bad at showing it. I can't really see how it would be possible not to love that girl. She's pretty amazing when she want's to."

"How come you're so wise mom?" he says and squeezes her hand before getting back to the dishes.

"Age and experience…" she answers laughing. "Or maybe just age."

---------------

Brooke wakes up as Lucas crawls into bed and she backs up against him so that their bodies melt together.

"Hey you…" he whispers and kisses her neck and she sighs with pleasure. "It's so nice to have you home Brooke."

She turns in his arms and kisses his lips before looking at him. He smells like soap and toothpaste. It feels good to have him next her. This blond boy who has her heart and who has fathered the child she's carrying. And she thinks that it's weird how the last month has changed their relationship so much, and yet so little. How he all of a sudden seems to be so grown up but she keeps pacing in the same spot. She remembers not so long ago when she still used to watch Lucas every time he wasn't looking at her and feel this big ball of insecurity in her chest, like when he went on that road-trip with his mom and she felt like shit everyday that he didn't call her. Or every time he and Peyton shared a discussion about something she knew nothing about. But lately the ball is fading into something so small that she's not even bothered by it anymore. Not even that last event with Peyton in Whitey's office had really gotten to her. And with trust-issues as big as the ones she's carrying around, making her trust him is not a small accomplishment on his part.

She closes her eyes for a moment. She has of course matured by all this as well but she can't seem to get past this one last childish thing; she still wants him to save her. And that's what makes her feel like standing still. She doesn't want to fall back into being that needy insecure girl she was when she first met him, and by having him fussing around her like he's been the last couple of days she's worried that she might. She wasn't supposed to need saving, by any guy. But tonight another man has made her feel small and insecure and she feels like she somehow needs Lucas for protection.

Over his shoulder she can see her cell phone lighting up but she has turned off the signal. It blinks for a while before going dark again and she sighs.

"Lucas can I ask you something…"

"Sure pretty girl. Anything…"

His arm is draped around her waist in the most natural way and she grazes her fingertips over the muscles of his upper arm. They feel hard and strong and however silly it is, it makes her feel safe.

"You're afraid of needles, right?" she whispers.

He smiles and nods. "You know I am…"

But her bottom lip starts trembling and she can see how his face turns worried.

"Then how come you don't seem the least bit intimidated by my father?"

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That was chapter 14 of this story, and I bet you're all wondering when the hell it's going to pick up the pace… lol
There are just so many loose ends to tie up that it's almost overwhelming. I do hope you'll stick with it though. I mean, sometimes the real OTH is somewhat slow as well. ;)

Be good and review please. And have a great New Year.

/ Lynn