Chapter 20: There Will Be Smoke
"Peyton," Brooke cried into the phone. "Can you come over?"
Peyton, who only lived five minutes down the street, was at Brooke's house in record time…for a pregnant woman. Brooke hadn't said anything about what was going on when she called, but Peyton could tell by Brooke's tone it was something bad, something very bad.
Peyton didn't even bother knocking; she ran up the steps leading to the large white house and burst open the red door. When she stepped inside, she saw Brooke kneeling on the ground in front of the couch holding onto a black dress shirt sobbing uncontrollably.
"Brooke, what's wrong?" Peyton asked as she rushed over to her best friend.
"Lucas," Brooke choked out. "Cheated on me."
Peyton couldn't believe what she was hearing. Lucas and Brooke had just gotten married, hell they had a baby on the way and he goes and cheats on her? Was he really that stupid? Did he remember how much pain he caused Brooke in high school, she certainly didn't deserve to go through that.
"With who?" Peyton asked as she pulled Brooke closer to her and began rubbing her back.
"Some slut named Lindsey," Brooke replied. "She left her slutty shirt here." She said as she showed Peyton the shirt.
"As in editor Lindsey?"
Brooke shrugged.
"I can't believe that whore," Peyton said as she shook her head.
"What?" Brooke asked.
"When Lucas' book reached the number one spot on the New York Bestsellers List, she completely came on to him then; and we were together at the time. I've never liked her Brooke. If you would have told me she was coming into town I could have warned you, hell I could have taken care of her for you." Peyton told her best friend.
"I didn't know she was in town. Lucas claims he didn't know she was here either but he also said he'd never cheat on me again and we know how well that turned out." Brooke sobbed.
"Brooke, I need you to listen to me. You did nothing wrong. No matter what, do not think for one second that you drove him to do this okay?" Peyton asked, as she looked her in the eye.
Brooke slowly nodded.
"How am I going to raise a baby by myself?" Brooke whispered after a few moments of silence.
--
Lucas really didn't know where to go after Brooke kicked him out but after driving around for a while, he found himself at Nathan and Haley's front door.
"Uncle Lucas!" Jamie cried when he spotted his uncle.
"J Luke!" Lucas said meeting his nephew's enthusiasm.
"Luke, what are you doing here?" Haley asked as she walked over to him.
"Hales, I did something today that I swore to myself I would never do again."
"You didn't cheat on Brooke again did you?" Haley joked but stopped laughing when she saw Lucas' facial expression fall.
"Lucas how could you do that to her!" Haley screamed. "You know how hard it was for her to completely trust you again! She's carrying your child Luke, and you're married to her!"
Nathan heard his wife yelling so he came out to see what all the racket was about.
"Hey Luke, what's up?" Nathan asked, oblivious to everything.
"Do you want to tell him or should I?" Haley asked as she placed her hands on her hips and gave him and dirty look.
"Lindsey my editor came over today, and well one thing led to another and we kind of…" Lucas trailed off praying Nathan would figure it out.
Obviously Nathan did, because his fist collided with Lucas' face faster than anyone could recollect.
"Nathan!" Haley screamed out.
"Daddy! How could you hit Uncle Luke?" Jamie yelled at his father as he walked over to his doubled-over uncle.
"I guess I deserved that," Lucas said once he regained his composure.
"You sure as hell deserved that." Nathan hissed at his brother.
"Jamie, why don't you take Savannah inside and play a game with her okay? Mommy and daddy need to talk to Uncle Luke about some stuff." Haley said to her son.
"Okay," Jamie replied hesitantly.
"Nathan, I know you're angry but you really didn't have to punch him." Haley scolded her husband.
"Haley, he cheated on Brooke; again. Who was it this time Luke?" Nathan asked viciously.
"My editor, Lindsey." Lucas told him, ashamed.
"So where's Brooke?" Haley asked.
"At the house, she kicked me out."
"Good for her, I would have done the same thing." Nathan knew he was being mean, but he knew Lucas deserved it.
"Nate, I really don't want to hear anymore of what you have to say." Lucas told his brother.
"Well too bad for you because I'm guessing you need a place to stay since Brooke kicked your cheating ass out and I suppose you think you're going to stay here." Nathan said.
"Nathan, we can't just let him sleep on the streets," Haley whispered.
"Well that's where he deserves to sleep after what he did to Brooke. Lucas, you know how fragile she is! It took her a lot to open up to you and let you all the way back in. You guys just got married and she's pregnant with—"
"I know Nathan! I know! Haley already lectured me about it. I know what I did was horrible and I am probably the worst man on the planet and given the chance to go back one hour in time, I would have handled things differently! You have to believe me when I say I'm so sorry for what I did to her." Lucas cried.
"You just better hope Brooke believes that," Nathan said harshly. "And you better not sleepwalk either." He added.
"What?" Lucas asked confused.
"I said, you better not sleepwalk because if you do you're not going to be able to stay here. I don't want to risk walking into my house after a long trip away from home and find my brother in bed with my wife." He hissed.
"I'd never do that!" Lucas yelled.
"Nathan!" Haley scolded. Lucas was her best friend, she could never imagine having sex with him.
"You also said you'd never cheat on Brooke again, but you did. You're just a jackass who can't keep promises." Nathan yelled before walking into his house leaving Lucas stunned and Haley to pick up the pieces.
"Luke, he didn't mean it. He's just really upset right now because he thinks of Brooke as his sister and he'd go to the ends of the earth to protect her." Haley said as she tried to make up for her husband's words.
"It's okay, I deserved that. It's the truth right?" Lucas shrugged.
"Everything is going to be okay, Luke." Haley said softly as she sat down next to Lucas.
"You don't know that," Lucas responded as he dipped his feet into the pool.
"Yes I do." Haley countered.
"How?" Lucas asked growing agitated.
"Because people who are meant to be together always find their way in the end." Haley whispered before she got up and headed into the house to start dinner.
"Haley!" Lucas called as he jumped up, running after Haley.
"What's up Luke?" Haley asked as she turned around.
"How do I get her back?"
"I can't tell you that. But this time it has to be something unbelievable, she's not going to come running back to you anymore. This time, you're actually going to have to fight for her. She's stubborn as hell, but if she sees that you're intentions are true and you really truly love her and regret what you did, she'll be back. Just give her time." Haley told him.
--
"Oh my god!" Peyton exclaimed after she swallowed the scoop of ice cream that was on her spoon.
Somehow, ice cream seemed to numb the pain Brooke was experiencing. It was as if all her problems just melted away. So once Peyton had calmed Brooke down, they decided to devour the carton of Ben & Jerry's Fish Food ice cream.
"What's going on P.Sawyer?" Brooke asked.
"I either just wet myself or I'm going into labor!" Peyton cried as she took off her soaked pants and underwear.
"Oh my god!" Brooke screamed. She had no idea what to do in a situation like this. Sure in health class they watched the Miracle of Life video, learned the stages of the birthing process, and were taught what to do if someone went into labor but Brooke didn't really pay much attention. She thought health class was a waste of time so she sat in the back of the room drawing designs that would later become the first pieces in her clothing line.
"Brooke! What am I supposed to do?" Peyton panicked.
"How am I supposed to know? You're obviously supposed to know this stuff! Isn't that what you and Jake went to all those Lamaze classes for anyways? So you'd know what to do in this kind of situation?"
"Oh my god, call Jake!" Peyton screamed. As she tried to stand up, her knees buckled as a result of her first contraction. Peyton shrieked in pain as the contraction raced through her body.
"It's okay P.Sawyer, just breathe in and out like this," Brooke told her. "Hee hee whoo hee hee whoo…" She continued to coach her friend through her contraction as she dialed Jake's number.
"Brooke," Peyton said between breathing exercises. "My caesarean isn't scheduled for another 3 weeks. Something's wrong, he can't be coming this early, what if -- OWW!" Peyton screamed as she hunched over in pain, another contraction had hit and it was worse than the first one.
"I can't do this Brooke, it hurts to much." Peyton whined as she slouched down onto the floor rubbing her giant stomach.
"Peyton, I need you to listen to me. You need to calm down and just focus on your breathing okay?" Brooke sternly told her friend.
Once the contraction had subsided, Brooke briskly walked into the kitchen to get some ice cubes for Peyton as well as a cold towel to wipe her brow. Brooke knew she had to call 911 but she felt Jake should know first but she couldn't get through to Jake. And with Brooke being stubborn, she wasn't about to give up on Jake and call the ambulance.
"Brooke!" Peyton screamed from the living room.
"Coming Peyt!" Brooke called as she ran back into the room.
"Where's Jake?" Peyton asked as she paced back and forth in front of the fireplace, it was actually more like waddling back and forth. Peyton had one hand on her hip while the other one stroked her belly.
"I can't get through." Brooke told her.
"What?!" Peyton screamed. "His son is about to be born and you can't get a hold of him? Brooke I can't do this on my own!" She began to panic.
"Peyt, listen. With you panicking like this it's going to put more stress on the baby so I really need you to calm down. Just breathe, I'm here for you and I'm not going anywhere okay?"
Peyton nodded.
Peyton's contractions were getting closer and closer, Brooke remembered reading that you're first child usually takes the longest in the birthing process but that can vary for everyone. Of course, she thought to herself, Peyton just had to be that woman who had her first child in less than 20 minutes.
Brooke disappeared into the kitchen to get some more ice and when she returned she saw Peyton pounding on her stomach.
"Peyton! What are you doing?" Brooke yelled as she hurried over to her.
"I just want him out, Brooke!" Peyton cried as another contraction began causing Peyton to groan in pure agony.
"I know, but you can't do things like that. He'll come out when it's time but for now you just need to concentrate on your breathing with each contraction and you'll be okay."
"Brooke, did you call 911 yet?" Peyton asked as the contraction began to ease up.
"I'm on hold right now," Brooke huffed. "You're not supposed to be put on hold when you call 911, there's obviously emergencies happening that need to be dealt with ASAP." She ranted.
"911 what's your emergency?" Brooke heard the dispatcher ask.
"Hi, my name is Brooke Sco—um… Davis. My best friend, Peyton, is in labor and she's in my living room." Brooke told her.
"Address?" The dispatcher asked.
"4 Willows Way, Tree Hill North Carolina." Brooke replied.
"Tree Hill? We have a six-alarm fire in the next town over from Tree Hill. All the emergency vehicles in a five-mile radius are at that fire, I'm not sure how fast I could dispatch one of them to your house. Is there any way you could get her to the hospital?" She asked.
"No, she's in a lot of pain I can barley get her to move off the floor let alone get her into my car." Brooke told the dispatcher as she looked over at her best friend who was rocking back and forth on all fours on Brooke's living room carpet.
"Okay, here's what we are going to do. I'm going to stay on the phone with you and talk you through the birthing process okay? You're going to deliver your best friend's baby."
"I really don't think that's a good idea," Brooke protested. "I'm not very good with this kind of thing." The truth was, Brooke was terrified. What if she did something wrong? What if she hurt Peyton or the baby?
"Brooke, you have to do this or else something could happen to your friend or her baby. Now is there any way you can move Peyton onto a bed or couch? Preferably a bed so you both can be more comfortable." She asked.
"I can try." Brooke replied as she put the phone down and moved over to a struggling Peyton.
"Peyton, there's no way for an ambulance to arrive so I'm going to deliver your son okay?"
"Just get him out of me, now!" Peyton screamed as she reached out for Brooke's support. Brooke could only imagine how much pain she was in and felt so bad that Jake couldn't be there for the birth of his son.
"Okay, I'm going to do that for you. Is there any way you could get up off the floor and into a bed for me?" Brooke asked as she wiped Peyton's forehead with the cool cloth.
"I don't think so," Peyton huffed as she tried to get through another contraction.
"P, I really need you to try."
"Brooke, I'm telling you I can't do it. It hurts too much to move!" She screamed as the pain in her abdomen became increasingly worse.
"She says she can't move," Brooke said into the phone.
"Can you help her up? She really should be in a bed, anything's better than the floor." The dispatcher whose name was Liz told Brooke.
"I'll try." Brooke said.
"Peyton, just co-operate with me okay?" Brooke said to her friend as she slid behind her and tried to push her up.
"Brooke, you really shouldn't be doing this, you're pregnant too." Peyton said.
"I need to get you up off the dirty floor." Brooke huffed as she struggled to push Peyton up.
"Okay, get out from behind me and try pulling me up."
"1…2…3!" Brooke yelled as she pulled Peyton up from under her armpits.
"Just stand there for one second and try not to fall down." Brooke said as she ran to the table to pick up the phone.
"Okay, she's up."
"Now, lead her up to a bedroom and carefully lay her down on the bed but make sure you have some clean towels underneath her." Liz told Brooke.
"Okay fake Goldie Locks, we need to get you to a bedroom pronto." Brooke barked as she placed her arm around Peyton letting her lean on her for support.
"Whoa," Peyton exclaimed after only a few steps.
"What's wrong?"
"Hee hee whoo hee hee whoo hee hee whoo, contraction…really bad." Peyton yelled as she practically fell into Brooke's arms. Brooke began rubbing Peyton's back trying to make her feel more comfortable but could tell it wasn't working when Peyton let out a deep moan. Boy, did she wish Jake were there with them.
"I have an idea," Brooke said after Peyton regained her composure. "Instead of walking up the stairs, lets go into the guest bedroom." As they walked into the spacious room Peyton almost fell over, the contractions seemed to get closer and closer every time.
"She's on the bed, now what?" Brooke asked Liz
"Have her lay down and take her pants off, you're going to need to check how far dilated she is. For her to be ready to push it should be around 10 centimeters but since Peyton just started labor she shouldn't be anywhere near that yet." Liz told her calmly.
"Thanks, I'll be back in a couple of minutes."
"P.Sawyer, now's not the time to be shy. All I'm going to do is check how far along you are okay?" Brooke explained. "Now take off those pants."
"Brooke, I took my pants off when my water broke," Peyton said flatly.
"I can't see anything." Brooke said into the phone.
"Alright, we need to work on descending his head, is there any way Peyton can squat or sit on a stool or something? Do you have an exercise ball anywhere?" Liz asked.
Brooke scrambled into the other room and retrieved her large pink exercise ball.
"Oh no," Peyton cried once she saw what Brooke was rolling into the room. "I am not getting on that thing. You just got me onto the bed."
"Peyton, the more you co-operate the faster he comes out of you." Brooke pointed out.
"Help me get up." Peyton huffed.
"Now just sit and roll around on this thing. Liz says the head needs to come down so you can start 'active labor.'"
"This isn't labor?" Peyton cried out in disbelief.
"No, this is labor, but you need to start active labor soon; that's when you start pushing that little guy out."
"That's when it's going to really hurt, huh?" Peyton asked as she bounced lightly on the ball.
"Yeah, but you can do it." Brooke told her.
"If I had drugs," Peyton pointed out.
"A lot of women do natural childbirth Peyton."
"I wasn't planning on being one of those women." She replied harshly.
"Well there's nothing we can do about that, this baby is coming now and that's that."
"I just want him out now!" Peyton screamed. "Just wait until you have to go through this hell."
"I can't wait," Brooke replied sarcastically.
Peyton was in an unbelievable amount of pain and Brooke couldn't do a single thing about it. She then got the idea of having Peyton relax in her Jacuzzi. Brooke had been doing a lot reading lately and the books said that in some cases, sitting in a warm tub was as effective as the drugs Peyton so desperately wanted.
"Hey Liz?" Brooke asked, shifting her attention to the dispatcher.
"What's up Brooke?"
"Is it okay if I put Peyton in my tub with some warm water? I read that that can help her relax."
"As long as the tub is big enough, but she shouldn't stay in there too long, she needs to work on descending the head. If it can relax her for a little bit that's great because she's going to need all the energy she can get when she starts pushing." Liz told Brooke.
"Thanks!"
"Peyton, I'm going to fill the Jacuzzi for you." Brooke called out as she walked upstairs to her bedroom.
"I don't see how that's going to do anything!" Peyton screamed from her position on the exercise ball.
"Just trust me," Brooke smirked as she re-entered the guest bedroom after starting the water.
"How do you expect me to climb the stairs to get into that tub?" Peyton asked bitterly.
"I'm going to help you, duh. The act of sitting in the tub can be as effective as the drugs you want so badly." Brooke said knowing she'd get a rise out of Peyton.
"Bring me to the tub!" Peyton smiled.
"Just three more steps," Brooke exclaimed as they neared the top of the stairs.
"Wait, another contraction," Peyton said as she sank down and sat on the step rubbing her hard tummy. "Just make this easier on mommy and come out." She pleaded.
"You ready?" Brooke asked once she noticed Peyton's facial features change from painful to serene.
"Just three more steps," Peyton repeated as she held onto Brooke the entire time.
The duo had to stop three more times before they reached the bathroom, the pain Peyton was experiencing was excruciating and the only thing that was keeping her going was the thought of how good the tub would feel.
"We're here," Brooke cheered as they reached the full tub.
"Brooke?" Peyton asked weakly. "How am I supposed to get in that thing?" She asked pointing to the three foot high Jacuzzi.
"Lift your leg up and place it in there while holding onto the bar and then I'll support this side of you and ease you in." Brooke replied simply.
"I'm going to make you run a marathon and jump four feet hurdles when you're in labor." Peyton remarked as she gave her best friend a death stare.
Brooke could only laugh at her friend's comment as she helped her climb into the tub.
As soon as Peyton had submerged her body in the warm water, she let out a loud moan. She was amazed at how the water made her feel so much better.
"Now, wasn't that worth all the hard work?" Brooke asked as she sat on the toilet and faced her friend.
Peyton didn't say anything but rather groaned in delight.
More contractions came while she was in the tub, but they were a heck of a lot less painful or so it seemed. When the first one hit while she was in the tub, she felt a big difference from when she wasn't. But as she remained in the tub and more contractions came, she felt them become stronger.
"Peyton?" Brooke asked as she looked over at her best friend who currently had her back to Brooke and was leaning over the lip of the tub.
Peyton really hadn't been forming words lately, she would either moan, grunt or groan at Brooke. She let out a long moan in response to Brooke.
"Do you need me to do anything for you?" She asked.
Peyton took her hand off the lip of the tub and waved Brooke over.
"I'm here Peyt," Brooke said as she kneeled down in front of her. "What can I do?"
"Just tell me this pain is going to be worth it,"
"Everything you're going though will be so worth it when you see your son. You're doing a great job buddy." Brooke told her as she began rubbing her back.
"Argh," Peyton grunted as she felt another contraction start up. She began swaying back and forth in the tub trying to make it hurt less but she found that no matter what she did, the pain was always there.
"Do you want to get out? You've been in there for almost an hour." Brooke said as she glanced at the clock.
Peyton nodded.
"Come here," Brooke said as she stood up and leaned in so Peyton could grab onto her. "Now just lean into me for support and step out of the tub."
As Peyton stood up, a shooting pain shot though her abdomen causing her to recoil in pain. She let out a loud groan as she stepped out of the tub onto the tile floor.
"Let's get you back downstairs." Brooke said softly.
"Where the hell could Jake be?" Peyton moaned as she walked up and down the hallway. She had sat and rolled around on the exercise ball for almost an hour and sat in the tub for almost an hour and a half. After Brooke checked to see how much the baby's head had moved only to find nothing had changed, Liz advised her to walk around. It took a lot of persuasion from Brooke to get Peyton to move around, but eventually Peyton got up.
"I don't know," Brooke told her as she held onto her arm as another contraction hit.
"I can't do this alone," She whispered as she sank onto the floor.
"Peyton, how many times do I have to tell you? You're not alone, I'm right here." Brooke said softly as she squatted down on the floor beside Peyton. "You really need to keep walking, his head needs to come down so you can start pushing."
"How am I supposed to push him out? I've been in labor for almost three hours and I'm exhausted. You really think I have enough energy to push a human out of me?" Peyton asked in disbelief.
"You just need to believe in yourself," Brooke told her honestly.
"Can you check to see if you can see his head has come down far enough yet because I can feel a lot of pressure?" Peyton grunted as she struggled to sit up on the floor.
"Yeah, but first let's get you back on that bed." Brooke said as she offered her hand to help Peyton up.
"You really think I can pull myself up?" Peyton asked as she stared at Brooke in disbelief.
"Right." Brooke laughed as she bent down.
"1…2…3!" Brooke said as she pulled Peyton up and Peyton pushed up.
"Easy does it." Brooke said as she noticed Peyton beginning to wobble as they walked down the hall into the bedroom.
"You know B.Davis, I'm really glad it's you who's delivering my son." Peyton said as she lay down on the soft mattress.
"Anything for you P.Sawyer." Brooke smiled. "Now let's see if all that rolling, walking, and sitting in a tub did anything for Baby Jagelski."
"I better be ready to push," Peyton exasperated.
"Oh my god!" She exclaimed as she checked Peyton.
"What?!" Peyton frantically asked.
"His head is like right there!" Brooke responded.
"Oh my god. Brooke, I need Jake now!" She screamed in agony as another contraction swarmed her body.
"I know honey, but he's not here and I can't do anything. You're my number one priority right now, you and your baby and it's all going to be okay."
"Brooke?" A voice called throughout the house.
Although it was the last person Brooke wanted to see at the moment, it was someone who could help with Peyton.
"Guest bedroom!" Brooke called back.
"Oh my god!" Lucas screamed when he saw Peyton sprawled out on their guest bed.
"Lucas, it's not like you've never seen that part of her before so get over it. Run to Jake's and bring him back her, Peyton's having this baby now!" Brooke hollered emphasizing the last word.
Lucas returned within seconds with Jake in tow. Lucas took over talking on the phone to Liz so Brooke could do her job more efficiently. Jake sat behind Peyton for support.
"Brooke, Liz says Peyton's ready to push." Lucas said.
"Am I supposed to hold the head?" She asked.
"Carefully guide his head out and once it's out gently suction his mouth and nose. Do not pull the baby, he'll come out on his own when Peyton pushes." Lucas told her.
"Luke, come sit behind me." Peyton called out.
"I'm fine over here." Lucas admitted. He really didn't like gory stuff like this.
"Lucas, do what the goddamn pregnant woman wants! She's in pain and all she wants is you to sit behind her for support!" Brooke barked.
"Jake already holds that position." Lucas pointed out.
"I want him to see the birth of our son." Peyton explained.
Lucas ultimately gave in to Peyton's demands and sat behind her holding her legs back while still on the phone with Liz. Jake stood beside his wife holding her hand the entire time, especially when the contractions hit. Brooke squatted at the end of the bed ready whenever the next contraction hit Peyton and she began to push.
"Peyton, I need you to look at me." Brooke said as she rubbed Peyton's ankle. "When you feel your next contraction I need you to bear down for me and push for 10 seconds okay? Lucas will count for you, you can do this." Brooke smiled.
Peyton nodded. Brooke got up to look for some more clean towels and blankets so when the baby was born, he could be wrapped up. She was in the bathroom when she heard Peyton scream out in utter pain.
"Brooke, get in here! It's time!" Lucas screamed from behind Peyton.
"Coming!" Brooke yelled back as she ran into the bedroom.
"Okay, Luke I need you to hold her legs as far back as you can. Jake hold Peyton's hand, and Peyton you just push." She barked as she looked at all of them.
"1…2…3…" Lucas began counting.
"Argh!" Peyton screamed as she began to push.
"8…9…10, breathe Peyton," Lucas instructed.
"How far did he come out?" Peyton asked as she tried to look down.
"He's in the same position as he was before," Brooke replied meekly.
"How?! I just pushed for 10 seconds, he had to have moved!" Peyton screamed.
"Babe, it's okay. This is normal it doesn't just happen like that." Jake explained as he snapped his fingers.
"Push," Brooke said once another contraction swept over Peyton's body.
"…9…10, relax Peyton." Lucas said to the blonde as he wiped the cool cloth over her forehead.
"How's she doing?" Liz asked.
"Brooke, Liz wants to know how she's doing." Lucas told his wife.
"Well, his head is moving slowly, but it's still moving." Brooke replied.
"Tell Brooke that there's a chance the umbilical cord will be wrapped around the baby's neck. She needs to carefully loosen it once his head is out and unwrap it from his neck." Liz explained.
"Brooke," Peyton panted. "I need to push."
"1…2…3…4" Lucas counted but stopped when Peyton relaxed into his arms.
"Peyton, you need to push." Jake told his wife.
"I can't, it hurts too much." She whined.
"I know, but you need to get him out now." Jake tried to reason.
"Jake, you don't know! You don't know how much this hurts right now and it's all your fault!" Peyton screamed.
Brooke gave Jake an apologetic look because she knew how verbally abusive Peyton could be, especially in stressful situations. Both Jake and Brooke knew Peyton didn't mean what she had said, she was just in pain and she needed someone to take everything out on.
"Peyton, you need to push." Brooke calmly told her best friend.
"I'm tired," Peyton complained.
"You can rest once your son is born," Lucas piped in.
"Can't you just pull him out? I've been pushing for almost 30 minutes Brooke,"
"I know, and you're almost done just five more big pushes and you'll be a mom." Brooke smiled.
"Okay, I can do this." Peyton said as she pushed her back into Lucas.
"1…2…3…4…" Lucas began to count again.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow!" Peyton screamed the entire time.
"You're doing great P.Sawyer," Brooke exclaimed as she watched Peyton's son's head emerge.
"Okay, stop pushing for just a second." Brooke said sternly as she unwrapped the cord from around his neck. She then suctioned his little nose and mouth so he could breathe. "Okay, his head's out." Brooke exclaimed.
"The head's out." Lucas told Liz.
"Tell Brooke that the shoulders will be the most difficult part. She needs to maneuver them so that they fit. Have her tell Peyton that this will probably hurt the worst." Liz explained.
Lucas relayed what Liz had said to Brooke who simply nodded.
"You ready to be a mom P.Sawyer?" Brooke asked.
"More than ever." Peyton responded.
"Okay, push,"
"Argh!" Peyton grunted as she pushed, causing her face to turn a bright pink.
Brooke carefully shifted the baby's shoulders so they'd fit and seconds after she did that; the baby boy had fully emerged from his mother. Peyton moaned as she felt her son leave her body, the excruciating pain of childbirth was finally over.
"Oh my god," Peyton cried as Brooke held up her crying son.
Jake and Lucas both had tears in their eyes once they saw the little boy for the first time.
"Hi baby," Jake cooed when Brooke laid the baby boy on Peyton's stomach.
"I love you," Peyton said to Jake as she pulled him closer giving him a soft kiss on the lips.
"I love you too," Jake responded. "Now what's this little guy's name going to be?" He asked as he tickled the baby's tummy getting him to calm down a little.
"You pick the first name and I'll pick his middle name." Peyton said as she picked up her son's tiny hand.
"Andrew," Jake whispered. "That was my dad's name."
"That's perfect, I wish your dad could see him."
"Me too, but he can see him from heaven. Just think Andrew will always have a guardian angle watching over him." Jake said as he leaned down and gently kissed his son's bald head.
"Jacob." Peyton said after a few moments. "His middle name will be Jacob, after his father." She smiled.
Jake simply smiled at his wife.
"Welcome to the world, Andrew Jacob Jagelski." Peyton cooed at her little baby boy.
"We'll leave you three alone. I have to talk to Liz anyways and see if there's any way to get you to the hospital to be checked out." Brooke said to the new family.
"Brooke," Peyton called after her best friend.
Brooke stopped in the doorway and faced Peyton.
"Thank you, for everything."
"Anytime P.Sawyer," Brooke smiled.
--
"You were great in there Brooke," Lucas said as they made their way into the kitchen.
"Thanks but you flattering me isn't going to make up for anything." Brooke responded shortly.
"I'm sorry for everything," Lucas said as he looked down at the tile floor.
"I know, but like I said before; I'm not going to welcome you back with open arms Luke. You've hurt me before and it hurt then too, but to be honest with you this hurts more and you want to know why?" Brooke paused.
"Why?" Lucas asked, finally making eye contact.
"Because we're married," Brooke huffed as she turned on her heel and walked out of the kitchen trying to get into contact with the fire department for Peyton's sake.
Lucas leaned up against the counter staring out the front window and wondered how things could go from perfect to disastrous in a matter of hours. Just eight hours ago, he and Brooke had a perfect life; but then he had to go and screw things up just like he did every single time he was with Brooke. As he backed away from the counter, he noticed his pants had become attached to a drawer and as he tried to yank himself away, the drawer spilled open. When Lucas saw what was inside, he could have sworn it felt like someone had knocked the wind out of him. There, sitting in the junk drawer was Brooke's diamond wedding ring on top of something he had never considered as junk and wondered how it could have ever ended up in the junk drawer. He swiftly grabbed the ring and the item it was sitting on and stuffed both into his pocket. He then ran upstairs, grabbed his overnight bag and threw some clothes in it. He then fished underneath their bed for something he knew Brooke had no idea about and smiled to himself.
He had a plan to win his Pretty Girl back.