A/N: Wow. Othlvr16, you really are fast, I just posted the chapter and you had a review for me right away, I like that. Its amazing.. Thank you.

Disclaimer: I don't own OTH.

Chapter 18- Smile

Smile though your heart is aching

Smile even though its breaking

Brooke felt better after Lucas' visit the previous night. She slept well for the first time since her best friend passed away, getting up from bed she said a quick prayer thanking God and asking him to take care of Peyton. She slid out of the covers and looked at her picture with Peyton.

"Hey P. Sawyer, Lucas was by last night, and I have to tell you, it made me feel a little better, but I still need you to give me strength ok?"

She continued to stare at the picture, after a few seconds she got up and made her way to the bathroom, she was going to start this day right, she was going to get through this day, and she was going to make it in Brooke Davis' way.

"Goodmorning Mom, Sam!" Brooke said, as she sauntered into the kitchen, giving Victoria and Sam a kiss and a hug.

"Goodmorning honey! I was so worried about you, are you ok now?" Victoria asked her daughter, worry apparent in her eyes.

"I'm fine mom, well, I'm obviously better now. I figured I have to be." Brooke answered.

"I'm glad you figured. I missed you… Mom." Sam said sincerely. She really missed Brooke these past few weeks and seeing Brooke that broken and lost, reminded Sam of how she felt when she was just figuring out her life.

Brooke felt tears in her eyes when she heard Sam say 'Mom', Sam had used this word once before, and that was when she was kidnapped by Brooke's attacker and Quintin's murderer, she was overcome with emotions and she gave Sam another tight and heartfelt hug.

"I missed you too, Sam." She cried.

As they pulled away, Brooke wiped her tears away and went to the fridge to get herself orange juice.

"I went out and bought some scones and croissants, honey." Victoria said.

This surprised Brooke but smiled nonetheless, she missed her mom and she wasn't able to thank her yet for all the effort she gave since the past week.

"Thanks Mom, I haven't really thanked you for all the help you gave us for the past week, I really appreciate it mom. Thank you so much."

"Nonsense, you are my daughter, and I am still trying to make up for all the lost time." Victoria said, but her words faded as she reached the end part.

Brooke knew Victoria still blamed herself for missing out on Brooke's life, but she didn't want her mom to feel this way still, it has been 2 years since her mom apologized to her, and it has been 2 years since her mom tried her best to make up for everything.

"Mom, we have talked about this, I told you, its ok, you're here now, that's all that matters." She said giving Victoria another hug.

Sam joined in the hug a few seconds later and the three of them gave each other a reassuring smile.

As they broke away from the hug, Brooke decided to ask her mom a favor.

"Mom, I know you'd probably disagree, but do you think I could take off work for a week? It's just, everything is still so fresh right now, and I know everyone's having a hard time getting back on track and I just thou----" Brooke rambled but Victoria cut her off.

"I'll take care of everything sweetheart, take a vacation as long as you need, the company will be fine, I just hope everything else would in time."

"Thanks mom, I really appreciate this." Brooke said reaching over to hold Victoria's hand and giving it a light squeeze.

They finished their breakfast and soon Brooke was driving over to the Naley's.

She rang the doorbell and was glad to see Jaime as he opened the door.

"Hey handsome!" she said and pulled Jaime into a hug.

"Aunt Brooke! You're ok!" Jaime chirped loudly.

"Of course I am, why wouldn't I be?" Brooke asked.

"I don't know, you tell me…" Jaime answered her.

Brooke raised her eyebrows at her godson and took his hand leading him into the house.

"Brooke!" Haley cried as she saw her friend, she got up from the couch and hurriedly made her way to Brooke and pulled her into a really tight hug.

"Hales,--- air—need- to--- breathe." Brooke said, trying hard not to laugh as Haley pulled back and apologized multiple times.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry, I just haven't seen you since--- you know and I'm really worried. I called yesterday and Sam said that you weren't coming out of your room." Haley rambled with her eyes tearing up.

"Come on, Tutormom, I'm here now, see, I'm ok." Brooke said reaching for both Haley's hands and into her own and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"She's ok now, momma you don't have to worry anymore." Jaime said as he looked up from his game on the Wii.

"You know, someone here, is being a smarty pants, he asked me if I was ok, and I told him, why wouldn't I be, and you know what he answered me?" Brooke said eyeing Jaime mischievously and giving Haley a smirk.

"Ah, he got you as well didn't he, he has been giving everyone a pep talk since yesterday, what did he say this time.?" Haley asked completely amused at her son's ability.

"Well he said; I don't know, you tell me." Brooke looked at Haley with a 'can-you-believe-that?' look, and Jaime just shook his head and muttered.

"Grown-ups."

Haley and Brooke shared a hearty laugh when they heard Jaime mutter, just then Nathan walked in the living room.

"Davis!" he said hurrying next to Brooke and pulling her for a hug.

"Wow Scott, missed me much?" Brooke joked.

"You have no idea, you had everyone worried for a minute there, Brooke. Don't do that again, ok?" Nathan told her intently, looking her straight in the eye.

Brooke just nodded and hugged her friend again.

"So, what do you say we all go out for lunch? My treat…" Brooke said as she and Nathan slowly pulled away.

"Oh I think that's a great idea, I've been craving burgers since this morning, and I just don't think I want to cook today." A furiously nodding Haley said.

"I'll go grab my purse and then lets go, Jaime turn that off now, and get ready." She yelled as she climbed the stairs.

"Ok momma!" Jaime yelled back, jumped up from the couch and followed her mom up the stairs.

Nathan and Brooke shared a warm smile as they followed their gaze to the active child.

"Jaime really is something." Brooke said chuckling at her godson's antics.

"Gets it from his godmother." Nathan said smirking, which earned him a playful slap in the arm from Brooke.

Nathan and Brooke sat comfortably in the couch when Haley and Jaime emerged, Haley was talking to someone on the phone and Jaime sat nonchalantly between his father and godmother.

"Lucas will meet us there, he's leaving Sawyer with Larry." Haley said as she placed her phone back into her purse.

"OK, so now that's set, why don't we just use our car, just ride with us, Brooke." Nathan said getting up from the couch.

"No, it's ok, I can drive." Brooke answered dangling her car keys in her fingers.

"Oh nonsense! Just ride with us, it would be fun, plus it would save you some gas. Besides, do you really want to be driving alone?" Haley asked pulling Brooke through the front door and into the Escalade.

"Guess not." Brooke said as she allowed Haley to pull her to the car.

--

They went to the new Italian restaurant just down the Riverwalk, and waited for Lucas to arrive before they order.

As Lucas entered the bistro, Brooke gave him a genuine smile, he smiled back and made his way to their table. He gave Haley a kiss on the cheek, he hugged Jaime, gave Nathan a pat and squeeze on the shoulder, and gave Brooke a kiss on the cheek before sitting down next to her.

"Hey guys, sorry I'm late." He said, picking up his menu and browsing the entrées.

"It's cool man, we just arrived about 5 minutes ago." Nathan answered giving him a small nod.

"So, what are you guys getting, seriously I was craving for a burger an hour ago, but right now, baby Emma wants pasta and breadsticks with mustard and pickles." Haley said as she scanned the menu.

Jaime looked at his mom and gave her a disapproving look, everyone else in the table knew It was better to stay silent than argue with a pregnant Haley.

"Sounds yummy, babe." Nathan said giving his wife a forced smile.

Haley put down her menu and looked at Nathan with ferocity in her eyes.

"You think its disgusting!" she cried while pulling her table napkin and wiping her eyes.

"No baby, I don't I think it's yummy, if you want we can share." Nathan pleaded, hopeful that Haley would stop crying, he reached for her hand and gave it a loving squeeze.

Brooke and Lucas looked on in amusement, Nathan Scott, professional basketball player, whipped.

Jaime just shook his head and muttered.

"Hormones."

Lucas and Brooke heard what Jaime muttered and they were wiping their tears off their eyes from laughing. Lucas had a hand on his stomach and he was laughing so hard, Brooke had to hold the table for support, her stomach was aching from all the laughing and Nathan and Haley was looking at them in disbelief and confusion.

"What is funny?! You think being pregnant is funny, this is all your fault Nathan Scott." Haley said glaring at her husband.

Lucas and Brooke immediately stopped as they heard Haley's venomous voice.

Nathan looked like he wanted the ground to open up and swallow him, and Jaime, he looked on with an innocent smile, not really knowing he caused the uproar from Brooke and Lucas.

"I swear Hales, it's not you we're laughing at." Lucas tried to reason.

"Honest Hales, it's just that our godson here, seems to know more things than he should at his age." Brooke said, turning to look at Jaime who then looked at them innocently.

"What did I say this time.?" Jaime asked lifting both his hands and shrugging.

"I think you know what you said, Jimmy Jam, come on, out with it." Nathan said, curious as to what Brooke and Lucas were saying.

"What? I just said hormones. It's usually what dad says when momma has one of her moods. I guess it just kinda stuck on me." Jaime said innocently.

The four adults looked at Jaime incredulously, and looked at each other, Brooke and Lucas started to snort trying to control their laughter, but soon, Haley joined the laughter, leaving an embarrassed and flustered Nathan to fend for himself.

Nathan looked at his son, and Jaime just smiled brightly at him.

"If I haven't known better, I would really think, Jaime is Brooke's son." Nathan mumbled.

Brooke playfully kicked Nathan from under the table which earned a laugh from everyone else in the table.

Nathan playfully glared at Brooke, and she just stuck her tongue out at him.

"Very mature, Davis. Very mature." Nathan said chuckling at Brooke's actions.

When the laughter has died down, Haley picked up her menu and summoned a waiter.

"I'll get the Cheese Ravioli with Sausage Marsala, Breadsticks and a bottle of water." Haley said as she looked up to the waiter. The waiter jotted down her order when "Oh and can you give me mustard and pickles on the side?" she asked him sweetly. The waiter looked at her in a weird way, but nodded his head nonetheless.

The other 3 ordered theirs and Nathan ordered the kid's meal for Jaime.

After they had finished their meal, Jaime was excited to go home, because Skillz would be there, and the both of them haven't had really had time to hang out this past few days, and Jaime was giddy to see him again.

They were walking along the Riverwalk on their way to the car when:

"Babe, I think we probably should get home, Skillz would be there in about an hour and my feet are killing me." Haley whined.

Nathan looked over at Brooke and Lucas who completely understood, Brooke made her way to join Nathan and Haley when Lucas stopped her.

"Hey Brooke, you think you could stay for a while? I could drop you off later, that is if you don't mind?" Lucas asked hoping Brooke could keep him company.

He really loved talking to Brooke, he just seemed to be comfortable around her.

Brooke looked at Nathan and Haley and they both nodded at her, she looked back at Lucas and gave him a nod. She then bent over at Jaime's level and told him;

"I'll see ya later handsome, aryt? I'll just keep your old Uncle company in the mean time." She said before giving him a quick hug and a little ruffling of his hair.

Jaime nodded and gave her a smile, and walked towards their car with his parents.

"You ok?" Brooke asked as she fell in step with Lucas.

"Yeah. I just thought maybe we could hang out a little bit, you know." Lucas said, putting his hands into his pockets.

"Oh. Ok. Well what do you have in mind Mr. Scott?"

"I don't know really, walk around?"

"Sounds good."

They fell silent and just walked along Riverwalk. There was something about the company of each other that made them comfortable and it was something they were both glad to have.

"What are you thinking bout?" Brooke asked breaking the silence.

"Uhh, what makes you think I'm thinking bout something." Lucas looked over at her with a questioning gaze.

"Oh, I don't know, probably because you are brooding again, with that squinting eye effect and all." Brooke joked with a hint of sarcasm.

"Hey. I resent that, I don't brood." Lucas teased, stopping in his tracks to face Brooke.

"Oh, you so do. Don't even argue with me BROODY!" Brooke said, sticking her tongue out, playfully slapping Lucas' shoulder and walking passed him.

Lucas laughed at Brooke and turned around to see the brunette walking ahead of him, he shook his head and gave another light chuckle.

"Hey Brooke wait up!" he yelled as he realized Brooke was walking farther ahead of him, he quickened his step and broke into a slight jog to catch up with her.

"Has someone told you lately that you walk like an old man?" Brooke joked as he panted upon reaching her.

"Well, I didn't know you walked in some kind of a marathon."

Brooke gave him a playful glare, and they both laughed.

They spent the afternoon walking and talking about anything that comes into mind.

As they neared a familiar place in the Riverwalk, Lucas stopped.

"Remember this place?" Lucas asked her.

Brooke who was engrossed at their conversation didn't really recognize the place at first up until Lucas mentioned it. Realization slowly dawned on her.

"People that are meant to be together always finds their way in the end." Brooke whispered.

Both Lucas and Brooke thought back on that night. Lucas feeling a little guilty knowing exactly that on that same day that Brooke said those words, he went and kissed Peyton behind her back.

"Brooke, I'm sorry." Lucas started.

Brooke looked over in confusion and searched Lucas' eyes for answers.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry I hurt you. I'm sorry for everything that I've put you through."

"Lucas! What are you talking about?!"

"Everything, I'm sorry I screwed you over, and I'm sorry I wasn't able to fight for you."

"Ok! That's enough Lucas Scott, What are you, in high school?! That has been over and done, in like nearly a decade, you cant still be hung up on those, I've forgiven you a long time ago, Luke, why are you bringing this up now?" a clearly exasperated Brooke belted out.

Lucas looked up and met Brooke's fiery gaze, he dropped his head low and felt all the guilt build up inside of him, Brooke had always been there for him after all the pain he had put her through, she never gave up on him, she even encouraged him to go after Peyton on that state championship, even when she was insanely in love with him, Lucas thought back to all the times Brooke gave way for other people to get their happiness, but looking at her now, he saw that everybody was able to get their happiness, except for Brooke, and it killed him inside.

"Luke, its ok, you know, I've moved past all those, we are not in high school anymore." Brooke tried again, Lucas just felt heavier, as if Brooke's words were weighing him down.

Brooke unconsciously wrapped her arms tight around Lucas and tried to soothe him. She gently rubbed his back and whispered that everything was ok.

Lucas found himself hugging Brooke without reserve and deeply sighing into her hair.

Brooke tried to pull away but Lucas just held on tighter, people were starting to stare at them and as much as Brooke wanted to stay in that position, she knew they had to go, before it boils up controversy, Tree Hill after all is just a small town.

"Luke, people are starting to stare, I think we better go." She whispered into his chest.

Lucas was snapped back to his senses as he heard Brooke's last whisper, he slowly pulled away and looked around, sure enough curious by standers were staring and starting to whisper to each other. He took Brooke's hand into him and led her away towards his parked car, as they got in, Lucas pressed his head into the steering wheel.

"I'm sorry, Brooke."

"I thought weve talked about this, Lucas, that was a long long long time ago. Ok?" Brooke said placing a hand on Lucas' shoulder and giving it a soft squeeze.

Lucas looked at Brooke and with all sincerity he said;

"I cant believe how someone could be as selfless as you. I'm lucky to have you as a friend, Brooke."

"Likewise Luke, you might not notice, but every time I do need a friend, you're kinda always there." Brooke said and gave him a warm smile, he felt a little tug in his heart as he saw this.

He took her hand and gave it a firm pressure.

"I love you, Brooke Davis, you know that?"

Brooke nodded at her friend and answered.

"I love you too, Lucas Scott."

They both shared a genuine and warm smile.

"Now, can you take me to Naley's I need to get my car, and you probably still have a lot of things to do."

"Actually, I was wondering if you could come over to Larry's, Sawyer probably misses you." Lucas said.

"Oh, ok. I miss that bundle of joy as well. You have no idea."

Lucas was glad to see Brooke light up at the mention of Sawyer, Brooke has always been good with babies, and he was just lucky he had Brooke at a time like this.

They drove to Larry's house and Brooke was pretty excited to see Sawyer, as they pulled over to the driveway, Brooke jumped off and hurriedly made her way to the front door, she knew it would be unlocked cause if it was locked then you're probably on a wrong town.

"Papa Sawyer!" she called.

"In the kitchen!" he heard Larry yell back.

She made her way to the kitchen with Lucas fast on her heels.

"Baby Girl!" Brooke squealed as she saw Sawyer on her high chair, applesauce all over her face.

Brooke wiped Sawyer's face with a wet nap and lifted her from her high chair, she pranced around the room carrying a giggling Sawyer.

"Smile, baby girl, smile for Aunt Brooke, come on." She cooed at Sawyer.

"Dadda!!!" Sawyer gurgled.

Lucas smiled at her.

"Mumma!" Sawyer chirped, bouncing up and down.

Lucas and Brooke looked at each other, Brooke broke their gaze and looked at the gurgling baby in her arms, she felt guilty, knowing that it should be Peyton who was holding Sawyer right at that moment, she carried Sawyer back to high chair and strapped her in.

Sawyer must have noticed Brooke's sudden change of expression, as Brooke set her down at the high chair, Sawyer started to babble another set of gibberish words.

Brooke smiled over at Larry, and walked over to Lucas to ask if he could take her to Naley's. The guilt she felt was overwhelming, she sent a silent apology to Peyton and looked back once more to Sawyer.

As Brooke and Lucas made their way to the front door Sawyer squealed.

"Shmayyyl! Bibee Shmayyl!"

Lucas, Brooke and Larry looked at each other and laughed.

Smile- What's the use of crying,
You'll find that life is still worthwhile,
If you just smile.

A/N—Needing your reviews guys…

READ, ENJOY AND REVIEW…