A/N: Hopefully everyone liked the last chapter, we will be learning who is Jake's father in this chapter. Anyways, here's chapter 21!
Bee27289: Thanks for the review! The Lion King is my favorite animated movie of all time, and since it was just re-released into theaters, I just had to incorporate it into the story somehow. I was hoping that people would catch on the Sophia reference. I wasn't sure if I wanted Brooke to have a girl or boy, but I ultimately chose a boy. Don't worry, Brooke could have more children. I'm glad that you enjoy this story; it's been a pleasure writing it and hearing all the reviews!
Isabel camilla Scott: Thanks for the review! I know that you wanted me to name Brooke's child Jamie if it was a boy, but I figured that would be too close to the show. You will be learning who the father of Jake is in this chapter, and hopefully everyone will like the decision. Haley is coming back in this chapter to help Brooke with her demons.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, just the storyline.
"People who are meant to be together always find a way to each other. When life gets hard, when things change, true love remains the same."
Chapter 21
"Welcome to the world, Jacob Keith Scott."
~BNBNBNBNBN~
Brooke held little Jake in her arms, refusing to let him go. She stroked his cheek as he slept, he was the prettiest baby she had ever seen, it didn't matter that he was hers.
Nathan sat besides her stunned into silence. Jake was a beautiful boy, and he prayed to God that Jake was his. Brooke looked over at Nathan and smiled. No words could describe how they were feeling.
Brooke and Jake were discharged two days later, and Brooke was eager to take Jake home. Sawyer had visited a couple times with Nathan, and was too excited to meet her little cousin.
"I'm gonna be like your big sister, Jake."
Brooke smiled at the little girl, while Nathan watched from the doorway.
Brooke was surprised the first time Jake opened his eyes; they were the same exact hue as Nathan's. There was no way that Jake couldn't be Nathan's child. Nathan and Brooke had set up a paternity test to be taken in a week. It didn't really matter, Nathan would be Jake's father regardless of the results, it was just a formality.
Dr. Rogers, the doctor recommended by Dr. Wilson, walked into the room. Brooke was holding Jake in her arms while Nathan's hand was on her shoulder.
"Well, the test results came back from the lab, and I'm sorry to say that Nathan Scott is not the father of Jake Scott."
I hear you breathing in
Another day begins
The stars are falling out
My dreams are fading now, fading out
Brooke's heart fell as she watched the reaction on Nathan's face. He tried to hide the disappointment and anger, but how can one do that? How does one learn that they aren't the father of a child that they thought was theirs?
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Ms. Davis, DNA never lies."
Dr. Rogers walked out of the room, leaving Nathan and Brooke alone.
Nathan's back was facing Brooke; he couldn't let this get to him in front of her.
"Nate?"
Nathan refused to turn around.
"Please say something."
Nathan turned around, and Brooke could see the anger in the blue eyes she had come to love.
"Brooke, what do you want me to say? That everything's going to be okay? Sorry to be realistic here, but everything's not okay."
With that, Nathan stormed out of the room, leaving Brooke and Jake alone.
~BDBDBDBDBD~
Brooke left the doctor's office, and got into the car, safely strapping little Jake in his car seat.
She drove back to the apartment, and sat Jake down in his basinet.
"It's going to be okay, Jake. We're going to make it through this. All of us."
Brooke felt so bad for Nathan, and she understood why he was so mad. Jake was the perfect baby, and Nathan had fallen in love with him the moment he saw him. Learning that Jake wasn't his must have been heartbreaking. She let Nathan storm off, knowing that he needed the space.
~NSNSNSNSNS~
Nathan was so pissed, there was no way Jake wasn't his, he looked exactly like him. There had to be a mistake. Nathan left the doctor's office, and walked outside. He needed space, and walked down the street, not knowing where he was headed.
Nathan sat down on the curb, watching the cars go by. He had walked through downtown L.A., trying to clear his head. He got out is cell phone, knowing that he needed to talk to someone about this, other than Brooke.
"Hey, Emily, it's me. On the risk of sounding feminine, I really need someone to talk to about something, so whenever you get this, call me back."
Nathan closed his phone, hoping that Emily would call him back. She was like his confidante, she was the one that convinced Nathan to go after Brooke. They had become close, despite the age difference.
Nathan waited, but he guessed Emily was still in school, it was 10:30am. He opened his phone again, and surprised himself by landing on a random number to call.
"Hey, this is Haley James."
"Hey, it's me."
"Nathan? Wow, I haven't talked to you in awhile."
"Yeah, I know and I'm sorry. After seeing you, I meant to call you back to hang out again."
"Well, it takes two people to do that. Sorry I never called you back too. So what's up?"
"I just needed someone to talk to."
"Where's Brooke?"
Haley didn't say this out of jealousy, she had moved on from Nathan. She knew how happy he was with Brooke, and she respected that. Brooke had been her best friend, and Haley knew she would treat Nathan right.
"That's the thing."
"Oh, so this is about Brooke?"
"In a sense…"
"Stop beating around the bush, Scott, and come out with it."
"I'm not sure how."
Nathan tried to figure out how to tell Haley about Brooke and Jake.
"Alright, well, Brooke was pregnant."
"Was?"
"Yeah, she had her baby last week."
"Congratulations."
"Thanks, but he's not mine."
"Oh…"
Haley realized how Nathan was feeling. Nathan is extremely loyal to everyone he loves.
"And you're mad at Brooke?"
"No… well, yes. When she told me she was pregnant, she said there was a chance it wasn't mine."
"Well, then you shouldn't be mad at Brooke if she told you in the first place that the baby might not be yours. Even if it's not, prove to Brooke that you're going to be there for her and the baby. Brooke is strong, but she always needs the reassurance that she can do things."
"I guess you're right. Thanks Hales, you always know what to say."
"No problem. How's Brooke?"
Nathan could hear the hint of sadness in Haley's voice. He could tell she missed her best friend.
"She's doing great. Everything with the pregnancy went well."
"What's the baby's name?"
"Jacob Keith Scott, Jake for short."
Haley smiled into the phone; she already fell in love with the name.
"You're going to have to send me a picture sometime."
"Only if you come and visit."
"I think that's possible. My tour doesn't start up for another few weeks."
"Well, you know where we are."
"Okay, well, just remember Nate, Brooke loves you and you love her. You'll get through this. Just give her some space, but when you come back, you better prove it to her that you're staying. No more storming off."
"Thanks Hales."
"Alright, see ya Scott."
Nathan hung up, feeling infinitely better after talking with Haley. He stood up, and saw a flower shop across the street, an idea already forming in his mind.
"Welcome to Los Angeles, Ms. James."
Haley nodded her head in thanks, looking out the airport doors at the skyline.
~BDBDBDBDBD~
Brooke changed into comfortable jeans and a gray cardigan. She grabbed a pint of ice cream and settled down in front of the TV. She had just turned the TV on when someone knocked on the door of the apartment. Brooke got up and wiped away some of the tears that had started to fall.
Brooke opened the door, expecting Nathan to be standing there, but it was Haley James.
"Hey, Tigger."
Brooke took a step back in shock. Haley James was standing in her doorway, the Haley that had left her six years ago without a goodbye.
"Haley?"
Haley nodded her head, dropping her bags and arms open. Both girls started crying as they hugged each other. Brooke was so surprised, but then glad her best friend was there in her moment of need. It must have been fate.
Brooke led her to the couch, where they both shared stories of their lives since they were sixteen. Brooke told her how Nathan was after Haley left him, and Lucas and Peyton having Sawyer. She told Haley about the state championship and Prom. She told her about college, and then the accident. It seemed like forever for Brooke to stop crying about the accident and the funeral. Haley cried along with her, Lucas was her best friend and she was close with Peyton.
"I'm so sorry I didn't go to the funeral, it was just…too hard."
Brooke nodded her head; it had been hard for Brooke as well.
Haley shared her stories of her music, and the tours. These were happy stories, making Brooke laugh and reminding her of the good times she had with Haley in their sophomore and junior years of high school.
"I missed you Tutorgirl."
"You too, Tigger."
They just sat there, arms around each other, borrowing strength from each other.
"Where's Nathan?"
"He…"
Brooke had told Haley about dating Nathan, the pregnancy, and the doctor's appointment. She was so scared she broke the girl's code of dating Nathan, but Haley reassured her that she was over Nathan and they were just friends.
"Is still out?"
Brooke nodded her head, there were no tears left to shed.
"I talked to him."
Brooke looked up at Haley in surprise.
"Well, actually he called me and told me about the appointment."
"You should have seen his face, Hales. I've never seen him that mad, even when you had left him."
"He didn't sound mad on the phone, just…sad."
"I don't what to do, Haley."
"Do you know who the father is?"
Brooke froze. She hadn't thought of Julian in months.
"Brooke, what's wrong?"
Haley put a hand on Brooke's shoulder. Brooke was starting to scare her. There was this lost and cold look on Brooke's face, one that shouldn't be there.
"Brooke?"
"Haley…"
Brooke broke down in tears again, and Haley held as she cried.
"It's…his…"
Haley didn't understand, Brooke's words were confusing.
"Who?"
"His…that son of a bitch."
Haley lifted Brooke's head up to look her in the eyes.
"Who, Brooke?"
"Julian."
Haley had heard Nathan talk about him.
"Your ex."
"Not just my ex. Now he's the father of my child and…"
Brooke fell silent. She couldn't tell Haley this, she couldn't tell anyone this.
"Brooke, you can tell me."
"No I can't. He said he would take… everything."
Haley suddenly became serious.
"Brooke, what did Julian do to you?"
Brooke looked up at Haley, struggling with how to tell Haley. She decided to come right out and say it.
"He…raped me."
Brooke looked down, ashamed.
Haley unwrapped her arms from around Brooke's shoulders in shock. No, this couldn't have happened to Brooke. Not the Brooke Davis she knew. Brooke Davis was strong.
"Please…tell me it's not true."
Brooke shook her head, and cried more. Haley didn't know what to do, so she just held her friend in her arms, and hours seemed to pass as they sat there.
~NSNSNSNSNS~
Nathan ordered red rose petals from the florist. He knew he had to make up with Brooke, and knew that Haley was right. He said he would be there for this baby, no matter what, and Nathan Scott didn't break his promises.
Nathan put the rose petals in his car, but continued to walk around L.A. He still needed time, and he needed to figure out what he was going to say to Brooke.
He headed into a boutique, and tried to pick out something that Brooke would like. He knew gifts wouldn't solve his problems, but they would certainly help.
"Hi, can I help you?"
"Yeah, I was looking for something for my girlfriend."
"Well, you came to right place. Do you know what she would like?"
"She loves dresses."
"Okay, we'll start there."
Nathan spent what felt like forever in the store, looking for something that Brooke would love. He finally settled on a white dress.
"Thanks."
"I'm sure she's going to love it."
Nathan nodded his head and walked out of the store, feeling better. He went to the bookstore, and looked up some famous quotes. He knew he couldn't impress Brooke with his own words, but he knew she would be impressed if he actually spent time looking up quotes.
"Anger is just a cowardly extension of sadness. It's a lot easier to be angry at someone than it is to tell them you're hurt. Falling in love with someone isn't always going to be easy. Anger, tears, laughter… it's when you want to be together despite it all. That's when you truly love one another."
Nathan figured that sounded smart, and wrote the quotes down.
~BDBDBDBDBD~
"You have to promise that you won't tell anyone, and that includes Nathan."
"Brooke, you need to tell the police. What Julian did is unforgivable and he should go to jail. What if it's not the first time he's done this? What if there are girls out there that don't know who their attackers were and it could have been Julian? He could do it again. Would you want other women to go through what you did just because you didn't have the courage to speak up? I know you Brooke Davis, you're strong, but this isn't you."
"Well, guess what Haley, being raped changes you! I have been living in fear for months because of what he did to me!"
"I can't even begin to imagine how you're feeling right now Brooke, and you shouldn't be feeling this. It's wrong, but you need to speak up."
"I can't Haley… it's too hard."
Haley just nodded her head, but she wanted Brooke to come forward. Haley changed the subject, pulling Brooke out of her dark place.
"Where's Jake?"
"Sleeping. Did you want to see him?"
Brooke appreciated that Haley changed the subject. It felt good to tell someone about her rape, but she still hadn't come to terms with it.
Brooke led Haley to her bedroom, where Jake was resting. Brooke gently picked him up, and having him in her arms made her forget about everything else.
"Oh, Brooke, he's beautiful."
Brooke let Haley hold Jake, and watched as Haley rocked him gently. Haley looked like a natural despite never being a mother.
"I'm glad you're here, Tutor Girl. I missed you."
"Me too, Tigger."
Jake started to wake up, and Haley repositioned him to look at his face. Jake opened his eyes and Haley gasped.
"Brooke, you're sure that Jake isn't Nathan's? They have the same eyes and hair."
"Yeah, well, the paternity test says different."
Haley looked at Brooke's disappointed face, and decided not to push her anymore. Brooke wasn't having a good day. Haley's cellphone rang.
"Hey, I gotta take this."
"Sure."
Haley handed Jake to Brooke, and stood outside the door. She watched as Brooke sat down in the rocking chair and slowly rocked Jake back to sleep. No one would have thought that Brooke Davis, cheer captain and Prom Queen, would be a mother at the age of twenty-two. Haley answered her phone, not surprised that it was Nathan.
"Hey."
"Hey, so I was thinking of our talk earlier today, and you're right. I said I would be there for Brooke and her baby, and that's exactly what I'm going to do."
"I'm glad Nate. You've finally become a man, a man that I'm proud to call my friend."
"You too, James. Before you get too sappy, are you at the apartment?"
"How did you know?"
"Because Brooke texted me while the two of you were talking."
"Yes, I'm at your apartment, why?"
"Because I have something planned for Brooke…"
"And you need me to get out."
"No, it's just that I need someone to babysit Sawyer and Jake for a few hours. I need to make this up to Brooke."
"Okay, Nathan, but when I ask her why I need the children, she's going to get suspicious."
"That's alright; she's never going to guess what I'm planning. Also, I left a box outside the door."
"Okay, Nate, just don't do anything stupid."
"I won't Hales. Thanks…for talking to her. She's had a rough time and I know I've caused most of it."
No, you haven't.
"Talk to you later Nathan."
"Bye Haley."
Haley put her phone away and watched as Brooke was quietly talking to Jake.
"Hey, Brooke, I'm going to need you to leave."
"Why?"
"Not sure. Nathan sounded weird, yet very romantic."
Haley had assured Brooke that it wasn't weird to talk about her ex-husband being with her best friend.
"Okay, that is weird. What did he say?"
Brooke laid Jake back in his basinet and walked out into the hallway with Haley.
"He just told me to babysit the kids for the night, and that you're never going to guess what he planned."
"Nathan Scott, ever the mysterious romantic."
"Yeah, well, how about it?"
"Okay, let me go get dressed."
"Wait, he said there's a box outside the door."
They walked to the front door, and opened it. On the ground was a box with a single red rose on top of it.
Brooke opened it to see a beautiful white dress inside.
"Wow, Brooke, that's a breathtaking dress."
"I'll say. God, Haley, I can't breathe when I'm without him, or when I am, he makes me feel like a little high school girl. He makes me smile, he makes me angry, but then he knows exactly how to cheer me up again. I am full head over heels for him, but I don't know how we're going to get through this, if we get through this."
"Brooke, you just need to tell him how you feel. Nathan can be a guy sometimes and make mistakes, but he is fiercely loyal. He loves you, I could tell by his voice on the phone."
They walked back inside to hear Sawyer waking up from her nap.
"One falls asleep, the other wakes up."
Brooke sat the box down on the table and led Haley to Sawyer's room. Brooke sat down on Sawyer's bed while Haley leaned against the doorway watching.
"Hey, Sawyer. Did you have a good nap?"
Sawyer tried to keep her eyes closed.
"C'mon, Sawyer, I have someone that I would like you to meet."
Sawyer shook her head, and Brooke rolled her eyes.
"Alright, well you asked for it."
Brooke started to tickle Sawyer, and they both laughed. A full out tickle war ensued as Haley watched.
"Sawyer, this is Haley James. She's my best friend and your aunt."
Sawyer stood up and held out her hand for Haley. Haley smiled at how mature the little girl was.
"Hi, I'm Sawyer Elizabeth Scott. I'm four and three-quarters years old, and I live in Los Angeles, California with my Aunt Brooke, Uncle Nate, and baby Jake. My phone number is-"
"Sawyer, what are you doing?"
Both Brooke and Haley laughed at the little girl, and Haley instantly recognized the Lucas in her, yet she looked like a mini Peyton.
"She looks just like them."
"Yeah, and she whines like Lucas."
Brooke picked up Sawyer, and threw her over her shoulder, Sawyer squealing the whole way. They went out to the kitchen, and Brooke sat Sawyer on a stool.
"Alright, I'm going to get dressed while Haley makes you dinner."
Haley's eyebrows rose at Brooke's orders.
"What? You're a better cook than I'll ever be."
Haley just rolled her eyes as Brooke went into the bathroom.
"Alright, Sawyer, what do you like?"
"Ice cream!"
"Yeah, you are exactly like Lucas. We can have that later."
Haley raided the refrigerator for food, finally finding Pizza Bagels. She showed the box to Sawyer, who clapped her hands. Haley put all the little bagels in the toaster oven and set the timer.
Sawyer ran over to the TV, and turned it on. Haley sat down next to the little girl.
"Aunt Haley?"
Haley looked down at the mass of blonde curls. She smiled as the little girl called her Aunt Haley.
"Yes, Sawyer?"
"Can we watch a movie?"
"Sure, what would you like to watch?"
"What was your favorite Disney movie when you were my age?"
"Well, I always liked The Little Mermaid."
"That's my favorite!"
Haley helped her put the DVD in and settled in to watch one of her favorite movies.
Brooke walked back out in her dress, surprised that Nathan had picked it out. She watched as Haley and Sawyer's mouths dropped as she twirled around in it.
"What do you think?"
"Well, you look hot and Nathan is going to think the same."
"I should think so, he picked it out."
Brooke grabbed her purse, kissed Sawyer on the cheek and hugged Haley goodbye.
"Alright, I'll be back later. Thanks a lot Haley, for this…and everything else."
Haley just nodded, noticing how nervous Brooke looked. She and Sawyer watched Brooke as she left the apartment.
Ooh, your love is a symphony
All around me, running through me
Ooh, your love is a melody
Underneath me, running to me
Brooke walked down the stairs and out to the lobby. She opened the door to go outside when she saw the walkway covered in red rose petals. They led to the end of the walkway, where Nathan was standing in a light grey button-up dress shirt and dark jeans with brown shoes. In other words, he looked sexy as anything. Brooke noticed that Nathan couldn't take his eyes off of her, and reveled in his stare.
Oh, your love is a song
A/N: I hope not everyone's mad that Julian's the father, but please don't give up hope yet, this story is just getting good. I'm thrilled that I got to update today, and I'll probably be able to update tomorrow. Until next time!
I have a link below of a picture of baby Jake. It's just a picture of a baby with dark hair and blue eyes, so I don't take any credit for it.
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h t t p : / / m e d i a . p h o t o b u c k e t . c o m / i m a g e / b a b y % 2 0 b o y % 2 0 w i t h % 2 0 d a r k % 2 0 h a i r % 2 0 a n d % 2 0 b l u e % 2 0 e y e s / t g a l l a g h e r 1 0 / I M G _ 1 9 3 9 . j p g
Here's a picture of Brooke in her dress. Her hair is shorter than that and a little redder, but I loved the dress so…
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h t t p : / / x e 8 . x a n g a . c o m / c b 7 f 0 5 6 5 1 3 0 3 0 2 4 4 2 0 7 2 8 1 / z 1 9 3 5 2 8 2 2 6 . j p g
Here's a picture of Nathan at the end of the chapter, one of my favorite pictures of James Lafferty. Enjoy!
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h t t p : / / i m a g e s . w i k i a . c o m / o n e t r e e h i l l / i m a g e s / f / f 0 / N a t h a n s e a s o n 7 – 2 . j p g