Chapter 21
Peyton gets out of the car slamming the door. Brooke gets out with a sigh. Peyton gets Lucas out of the car and grabs his diaper bag. She heads towards the house. Brooke gets Sawyer out and follows her. They enter the house and Peyton puts Luke in his swing and then walks into the kitchen. She starts slamming the cupboard doors. Brooke signs again and follows her into the kitchen and sighs.
"Would you like to talk about it?"
"No!" Peyton says
"I don't think our cupboards can handle your argument with Haley"
"Don't mention that bitch's name in our house!"
"Peyton" Brooke says carefully "She has a right to her feelings"
Peyton turns and glares at her "You're right Brooke" she hisses "She has a right to her feelings but to treat us like we are dirty people doing something wrong is not right! She's our friend and she should have been a little more tactful!"
"It was kind of a surprise"
"Are you defending her?" Peyton snaps
Brooke decided she should shut up "No, not at all"
"Sure sounds like you were!"
"I'm not!" Brooke says "What are you looking for?"
Peyton looks at her confused "What do you mean?'
"Well you're in the kitchen opening the cupboard doors and then slamming them so I'm assuming you're looking for something"
"I'm going to get Luke a bottle"
"Oh" Brooke says softly
Sawyer walks into the kitchen "Mommy, I'm hungry"
Peyton looks at her "I'm sorry honey." She says walking over and picking her up "We left before you got to eat your dinner"
Sawyer shakes her head yes.
"How about I order a pizza and then you hop into the bath while we wait for it?" Brooke says
Sawyer laughs "I already had a bath today, silly"
"Well you were in the chlorine and it could turn your pretty blonde hair green"
"Yucky!" Sawyer says making both Peyton and Brooke laugh
"So do you want pizza?" Brooke asks
"Not really" Sawyer says "Did you see the burgers Uncle Nathan made?"
Peyton laughs "Do you want a hamburger, baby?"
Sawyer shakes her head.
"Ok, then" Peyton says "Why don't we go rinse all that chlorine out of your hair and then go out to eat"
Brooke looks at Peyton "You want to go out?"
"Do you want to make burgers?" Peyton asks
"Not really" Brooke says "But we could eat something else"
"Yeah, we could but I think Sawyer's had a pretty rough night so if she wants a burger I think she should have one"
Brooke smiles "Ok, then" she says "We'll go out"
Peyton picks Sawyer up and heads out of the kitchen. After about 15 minutes they return and are ready to go. Brooke is sitting on the couch feeding Luke a bottle.
"Are you ready?" Peyton asks smiling at Brooke
"Probably should just change little man before we go"
"I can do it" Peyton says
"I know" Brooke says "But I don't mind" she adds getting up
Brooke quickly changes Luke and then they all get ready to leave the house. Peyton opens the door to see Nathan standing there with his hand raised to knock on the door.
"Nathan!" Peyton says in surprise "What are you doing here?'
Nathan sighs "I brought you guys some dinner"
"Why?" Peyton says
"Because Sawyer loves my burgers and you were rudely kicked out of my house"
"Thanks, Uncle Nate!" Sawyer says smiling and running to give him a hug
Nathan bends down and picks the little girl up "You're welcome munchkin" he says smiling "May I?" he says holding up the bag and motioning to the kitchen
"Sure" Peyton says stepping to the side
Nathan carries Sawyer into the kitchen and Brooke looks at Peyton.
"Ok, what's wrong I know that look" Peyton says
"Nothing" Brooke says turning and walking away
Peyton sighs and closes the front door. She then walks into the kitchen where everyone is. Nathan is cutting a burger into quarters for Sawyer and Brooke is sitting at the table holding Sawyer.
"Does Haley know you're here?" Peyton asks
"She left the house" Nathan says "So once I got Jamie taken care of I wrapped up your dinner and brought it over"
"That was really nice of you" Brooke says "We were just getting ready to go out"
"Well now you don't have too"
"Excuse me but Luke needs to go to bed" Peyton says walking over and picking the baby up from Brooke and starts to walk out of the room. Nathan catches her arm before she can leave all the way.
"You were just going out" Nathan says "He doesn't need to go to bed yet. We need to talk."
Peyton sighs "About what?"
Nathan gives Peyton a look "Seriously?" he says "Did you really just ask me about what?"
Brooke laughs a little
"Listen" Nathan says "I don't know how I feel about all of this but you two are my best friends and I'm not going to turn my back on you"
Peyton smiles and so does Brooke.
"Thanks, Nate" Brooke says
"And I know that Haley was harsh but I hope you won't make any lifelong decisions right now about your friendship with her" he says hesitantly "We're all we have… each other"
"Nathan" Brooke says sighing "She was totally out of line. I realize this situation is a total shock to everyone but she didn't need to treat us like that"
"I know" Nathan says "I'm sorry she treated you like that"
"Listen Nate" Peyton says "We didn't expect this to happen and we didn't expect you guys to accept it with open arms but we all accepted Haley into our group with time and we weren't judgmental either. What she did tonight was unforgivable and I'm not sure things will ever be the same again"
Nathan sighs "I understand that, I do, but she was just surprised and Lucas just died"
"Do you think I just hopped into bed with Brooke?" Peyton says "I weighted the consequences of what this relationship would do to all of us and I went and sat with Lucas and I thought and thought about it and I realized that I have very strong feelings for Brooke and I always have. It's always been Lucas and Brooke in my life. I didn't realize that I love Brooke like I loved Lucas. Lucas and I had two amazing children and we had a great marriage but he's gone and he's not coming back and I'm young and my children are young. We all deserve to be happy and the kids deserve to be raised in a family and Brooke loves us all. You should see her with the kids when you guys aren't around and you should see us together. We're happy. We're in love and it may be a shock and it may take time to get used to but we're together and we're planning to stay together. Anyone that doesn't accept that isn't going to be welcome in our home or around our children"
Brooke looks at Peyton.
"I understand that" Nathan says "Please don't keep my niece and nephew away from me. They're all I have left of my brother"
"You're welcome to see them whenever you want but Haley is not!"
Nathan sighs "Ok" he says "I should probably go"
"Thanks for bring dinner over" Brooke says standing up
"You're welcome"
"Thanks, Uncle Nate!" Sawyer says "it's the best burger ever!"
Nathan smiles "You're welcome baby girl!" he says picking her up "How about Jamie and I pick you up tomorrow and we'll go to the Rivercourt?"
Sawyer looks at Peyton "Can I go, mommy?"
"Of course" Peyton says smiling
"Ok, see you tomorrow" Sawyer says
"Bye, munchkin" Nathan says as Brooke walks him to the door.
She returns to see Peyton sitting at the table with Sawyer waiting for her to eat.
"Hungry?" Peyton says smiling
"Yeah" Brooke says
"Well we might as well eat" Peyton says "Nathan does make great burgers"
Brooke walks over and opens the frig grabbing a bottle of wine. She grabs two glasses and sits do. She pours each of them a glass.
"What are we going to do?" Brooke says
Peyton looks at her "About what?"
"Haley?"
"Nothing" Peyton says
"Peyt" Brooke says softly "We can't just walk away from our friendship"
"We didn't!" Peyton says "She did and I will not kiss her ass and beg her to be our friend"
Brooke sighs "Ok" she says "But I don't want you to resent me…"
Peyton looks at her "I'm not going to resent you"
"Are you sure?"
"Of course" Peyton says "We're in this together"
"I hope so"
"We are"
"Ok" Brooke replies taking a drink of her wine and then eating her burger.
Peyton takes a bite as well
"Mommy" Sawyer says
"Yes, sweetheart"
"Can we have a sleepover tonight?"
"With who?"
"With us?" Sawyer says "Can we all sleep in Aunt Brooke's big bed?"
"You have to ask Aunt Brooke"
Sawyer looks at Brooke and bats her eyes "Aunt Brooke can we all sleep in your room tonight?"
"I think we could do that!" Brooke says smiling
"Mommy too"
"Mommy too" Brooke replies
"Yeah!" Sawyer shouts "I'm done eating may I go up to my room and start bringing my stuff down?"
"Yes, go ahead" Peyton says
Sawyer gets down from the table and runs up the stairs.
"She's so funny" Brooke says "All this stuff going on around her and she doesn't have a clue or a care in the world. She's just a happy little girl"
"She sure is" Peyton says "And I'm so thankful for that. You know she's been through so much in the last few months and for her to be so happy and adjust to her new life is amazing"
"She's had a lot of support"
Peyton sighs "Not from me. I didn't show her how to handle grief and sorrow" she says pausing and looking Brooke "You did."
Brooke smiles at her and then she looks away. Peyton can tell something's wrong.
"What's up?"
Brooke sighs "I'm just thinking about what you said to Nathan"
"Oh" Peyton says confused "I meant every word of it"
"Did you?" Brooke says
"Of course" Peyton answers a little harshly
"Peyton" Brooke sighs "You said to Nathan that if people didn't accept us they wouldn't been allowed around our children"
Peyton looked at Brooke "That wasn't ok?"
"You realized you said that?"
"Yes" Peyton answers
"Peyt" Brooke sighs "That's a big decision"
"No, it's not, Brooke. You delivered Luke, you took care of them when I couldn't and you're still taking care of them. They're our children weather this goes anywhere or not. You will always be their other parent. You've earned that right"
Brooke smiles from ear to ear and then gets up and kisses Peyton hard on the mouth "Thank you"
"You're welcome" Peyton replies "Now let's finish eating because you know Sawyer's going to sucker us into watching a movie and it's already getting late"
"Ok" Brooke says smiling
Brooke and Peyton eat their dinner together in silence. Across town Haley is sitting at Lucas' grave tears running down her face. Nathan pulls up and gets out of the car. He walks over and sits down next to Haley.
"Hey" he says softly
"Hey" she replies
"It's getting kind of late" Nathan says wrapping his arm around her
Haley leans into him "I know" she says "I just wanted to sit here with him a little longer"
"He's not coming back Hales"
"I know"
"She has a right to move on"
"No, she doesn't" Haley replies "Not yet, not with a woman, what would Lucas think about this? His wife a lesbian and his children being raised by lesbians"
"We'll never know" Nathan says
"He wouldn't approve. I know Luke" she sighs "He wouldn't approve"
"Peyton is the love of his life and he isn't here to make her happy anymore don't you think he'd want her to find someone to make her happy? Someone for her to love and help her with the kids?"
"I think he'd want her to be happy but not with another woman"
"She isn't with any other women, Hales, she's with Brooke"
"It doesn't matter" Haley sighs "I can't accept it, I won't accept it. It's wrong for them to be together"
"Why is it wrong?" Nathan says
"Because…" Haley stops
"Because they're two women?" Nathan finishes for her "I never thought you'd be like that Haley! Judgmental"
"It's how I feel"
"Your feelings will keep you from seeing your best friend's children growing up. Is that what you want?"
"No" Haley says "That's why I'm going to call protective services on Peyton and take the children away from her"
Nathan looks at her "Are you insane?" He yells "They have been through hell and back and there's no way you're going to take them away from their mother, the one consistent person in their lives"
"She's been gone and they'll be fine without her. Lucas wouldn't want his children raised by them"
"You're wrong, Hales" Nathan replies "He would want Brooke to help Peyton. He would want her to turn to her best friend. You're out of line and I will not stand by and watch you tear Peyton's life apart. It's her life and you need to accept it or not be a part of it."
Haley glares at Nathan "Are you seriously taking their side?"
"No" Nathan says "I'm taking Sawyer's side. Luke may be too young to understand what's going on but Sawyer does and there is no way in hell I'm going to sit back and watch you take my niece away from her mother or cause any trouble for them. You can feel however you want about Brooke and Peyton being together but you will leave them alone"
"Or what?" Haley says vindictively
"Or you'll be very lonely living by yourself because Jamie isn't going to support you taking Sawyer from Peyton and I sure and the hell am not going to support you so you decide is it really worth losing your family over?"
Haley looks away from Nathan "Go home, Nathan!" she hollers "Just go home!"
Nathan doesn't say another word. He just gets up and walks to his car and leaves Haley sitting there. He drives home and walks into the house. Jamie is playing his PlayStation 3.
"Hey" Nathan says walking in
"Hey dad!" Jamie says "Was Sawyer happy to get the burger?"
"Yeah she was very excited!"
"That's good"
Nathan sighs "So" he says
Jamie pauses his game and looks at Nathan.
"What's up, dad?"
"Do you have anything you'd like to talk about?"
"No" Jamie says looking at his dad funny
"Not even about Aunt Brooke and Aunt Peyton?"
"No" Jamie says
"Are you sure?"
"Yes"
"Um… ok" Nathan says
Jamie looks at Nathan "Can I go back to my game?"
"Sure" Nathan says standing up and rubbing Jamie's head and walking into the kitchen and opening a beer. The back door opens and he turns around. "Hey" he says to Haley
"Where's Jamie?"
"Playing video games"
"Oh"
"Want one?" Nathan says holding a beer out to Haley
Haley takes it and sits down at the bar. "Thanks"
"Yep" Nathan says opening another one
"Did you talk to him about Brooke and Peyton?"
"Tried to but he didn't seem to be interested in it"
"I'll talk to him later"
"Fine"
"Thanks for cleaning up"
"No problem"
"I feel bad that Sawyer didn't get to eat. She was so excited about your hamburgers"
"I know" Nathan says "That's why I took dinner over to them"
"What?" Haley says with hatred in her eyes
"Listen" Nathan says "Those are my niece and nephew and I will not cut them out of my life. Peyton and Brooke are my oldest friends and I will not turn my back on them"
"I'm going to bed!" Haley says picking up her beer and standing up. "You might as well get used to sleeping in the guest room"
"Fine with me" Nathan says "I had no intention sleeping next to you tonight anyway"
Haley stomps out of the room and heads upstairs. Nathan walks back into the family room where Jamie is stilling playing video games.
"What's wrong with mom?"
"She's mad at me"
"oh" Jamie says "Want to play?"
"Why not" Nathan says
Jamie and Nathan start to play a new game while Haley is fuming upstairs.
Across town Brooke is setting up her bed for a sleepover. Sawyer comes running in. She's wearing her purple pajamas that Brooke bought her.
"Where's your mommy?"
"She's putting Luke to bed"
"Alright then" Brooke says "I'm going to go put my pajamas on"
"Ok" Sawyer says smiling and climbing onto her Aunt's bed
After a few minutes Brooke walks back into the room in her boy shorts and tank top. It was a hot night and the breeze from the ocean was nice but it was still hot.
"I'm tired" Brooke says yawning
"I'm not" Sawyer says smiling "Can we watch a movie?"
"We'll see what your mommy says"
"Oh ok" Sawyer sighs
Peyton walks in. She is wearing the shortest shorts Brooke has ever seen. She also has a tight tank top on.
"It's so hot" Peyton says
"I have the fans going in here" Brooke says "And we could open the deck doors because there's a nice breeze"
"Sounds good" Peyton says walking over and opening the doors "It feels nice out here"
Sawyer's eyes get really big "Aunt Brooke do you have sleeping bags?"
"Yes, why?" Brooke asks confused
Peyton smiles at Sawyer. She knows what she's thinking.
"Because in New Zealand when it was hot out we would sleep out on the deck under the stars."
Brooke gave her a funny look "You want to sleep outside?"
Sawyer's eyes became the size of saucers "Yes!" she replies "We'd have so much fun"
"What about the bugs?"
Sawyer frowned "I don't know daddy always got rid of the bugs"
Peyton laughs "We had a screened in deck"
"Oh" Brooke says smiling "Sawyer, sweetheart, we don't have one of those"
Sawyer frowned "oh" she says with a sad voice
"You know what, baby girl" Peyton says "I bet if we use bug spray on the sleeping bags and ourselves we'd be just fine sleeping outside tonight"
Sawyer smiles "Really mommy?"
"Really" Peyton says "And Aunt Brooke can stay in the house to take care of Luke"
"Ok" Sawyer says smiling
Brooke pouted "Why can I sleep outside too?"
Sawyer turns and looks at her "The bugs, Aunt Brooke"
Brooke and Peyton both start laughing and the Brooke jumped up.
"I have a tent!"
"What?" Peyton says
"I have a screen tent that I've used on the beach for parties and stuff. I bet it would fit on the deck"
"Then we can all sleep outside!" Sawyer says
Peyton looks at Brooke "That would take a lot of work, Brooke"
"It's ok" She says "Come on"
Peyton and Brooke went up into the attic. They found the sleeping bags and the tent. They hauled it all downstairs and outside onto the deck. The women set everything down and Peyton looks at Brooke.
"It's hotter than hell and you want to set up a screen tent so we can sleep outside?"
Brooke smiles "I want to make Sawyer happy"
"I think she's very happy just being here"
"She's had a rough day and she wants to sleep outside. Plus it's a pop up!" Brooke says smiling "It only takes seconds to set up"
Peyton walks over and grabs Brooke's face. She kisses her hard on her mouth only pulling away for air.
"Wow" Brooke says
"You are amazing, Brooke Davis"
Brooke smiles at her "I think you're pretty amazing yourself"
"Well we better get this tent up" Peyton says smiling
The two of them set up the tent on the deck and then lay out the sleeping bags. Brooke looks at Sawyer sitting in the doorway watching them set everything up.
"Hey munchkin how are we going to watch our movie?"
Sawyer thought for a minute "I don't know"
Peyton laughs "Baby, you can't have it all!"
"Why not?" Sawyer says very seriously
Brooke bursts out laughing. "That's my girl!" she says
Peyton looks at Brooke "Don't encourage her"
Brooke sighs "We can just put the TV in the doorway so we can watch the movie"
Peyton looks at her like she's crazy "What?"
"The TV is on a cart with wheels we can just pull it out here"
"Are you insane?"
"No" Brooke says "Just trying to make this the best night ever! Come on, Sawyer let's go make popcorn"
Peyton just shakes her head. She really was falling madly in love with that woman. After a few minutes Brooke and Sawyer return with popcorn and other snacks. Peyton had pulled the TV out to onto the deck and was laying out the sleeping bags.
"See I knew you'd be able to get it out here" Brooke says smiling
"It wasn't easy" Peyton says
"Oh I'm so sorry" Brooke says with a cute little look on her face "Do you have Luke's monitor?"
"Yes" Peyton says "I was thinking about going and getting him though because it's so hot up there"
"It's about 20 degrees cooler out here" Brooke says "It feels really nice"
"It does" Sawyer says "And I bet Luke would like to sleep outside with us"
"I'll set up the playpen if you'd like" Brooke says
"Ok" Peyton says as she walks into the house.
Brooke takes the playpen and puts it in the corner of the tent. She then goes into her room and pulls the mattress off the bed.
"What are you doing?" Sawyer asks with huge eyes
"I think we'll be more comfortable on this mattress, don't you?"
"I think you're silly!" Sawyer says laughing
Brooke sets the sleeping bags up on the mattress and Peyton returns with Luke who is still asleep.
"What in the world are you guys doing?" She asks
"Aunt Brooke thinks we needed a mattress"
"Oh my gosh!" Peyton says "This is turning into a fiasco"
"Oh you're loving it!" Brooke says
Peyton smiles.
"I think we're all ready now" Brooke says
"I hope so" Sawyer replies "I'm tired"
Peyton laughs a little and walks into the tent laying Luke in the playpen. He squeaks a little but stays sleeping.
"So what are we going to watch?" Brooke asks
"Finding Nemo!" Sawyer says smiling
"Finding Nemo it is" Brooke says
Peyton sighs "It's still kind of warm for sleeping bags." She says "Since you've got your mattress out here we might as well sleep under the covers"
"I'll roll the bedspread down" Brooke replies "And we can just use the sheet at first"
"Sounds like a plan" Peyton adds smiling
Brooke and Sawyer settle onto the mattress while Peyton closes the house door and then zips the tent door down. She checks an Luke and then settles in with them.
"I'm calling tomorrow to get a section of the deck screened in"
"You're insane" Peyton says
"No, I'm not" Brooke replies "If this is something that Sawyer enjoys I want her to be able to do it all the time"
"Shh…" Sawyer says "I can't hear the movie"
Peyton and Brooke laugh. The three snuggle in and watch the movie. After about twenty minutes Sawyer is sound to sleep.
"Thank you for doing all of this for Sawyer" Peyton says
"I love her, Peyton" Brooke says "I'd do anything to make her happy and comfortable. Plus this is fun"
"Yeah, it is" Peyton says
Brooke sighs and Peyton smiles at her.
"I'm tired" Brooke says
"Me too" Peyton replies "It's been a long day"
"That it has"
"I'm glad we're here, Brooke"
"I'm glad you're here too" Brooke replies with a smile
Peyton gets up and checks on Luke. He's sound to sleep and she smiles as she turns to head back to the mattress. She looks at the mattress where Sawyer had rolled to the edge when she got up.
Brooke laughs a little "it looks like you're going to have to sleep in the middle now"
Peyton smiles "It's hot!" she says in a whiny voice "I don't want to be squished in the middle"
"Oh lay down and stop your whining!" Brooke says
Peyton climbs in between Sawyer and Brooke. None of them had covers on. Peyton sighs and dozes off to sleep. Brooke leans up on her elbow and looks at her. She leans down and kisses her softly on the head before settling back in to fall asleep.
A few hours later Brooke wakes up shivering. The temperature had dropped and a cold summer breeze was blowing through the tent. She gets up and walks over to the playpen that Luke was in. She covers him up placing a small kiss on his forehead. She then covers up Sawyer with her special blanket. She smiles at the way Sawyer is snuggled into Peyton and Peyton has her arms wrapped around her. She loves those two girls so much. After making sure everyone is covered up she climbs back into the makeshift bed. As she settles in Peyton wakes up and looks at her.
"Hey" she says
"I'm sorry" Brooke says "I didn't mean to wake you. It just got really cold"
"Thanks for taking care of us"
"No problem"
Peyton looks down at Sawyer "Look at my baby girl"
"She's so sweet"
"She sure is" Peyton says "They're my life. I'm so glad I have them"
Brooke smiles not saying anything.
"I'm glad I have you too"
"Are you sure you're up for a relationship with me?"
Peyton smiles "Of course"
"Good" Brooke says leaning over and kissing her "I'm not really tired now"
"Me either" Peyton says "Want to watch a movie?"
"Won't that wake Sawyer?"
"Nah" Peyton says "She a good sleeper"
"Ok" Brooke says getting up and going into the house. She returns with a movie. She puts it in and lays back down. Peyton wiggles from under Sawyer and lays her head on Brooke's chest. Brooke's heart starts racing.
Peyton laughs "Settle down nothing exciting is going to happen with the kids here"
"I know" Brooke says "But being this close to you after all this time…"
Peyton looks up at her and kisses her softly. The two lay there watching the movie falling back to sleep in each other's arms. The turmoil of the day forgotten because all that matters was that moment and the two of them being together.