HEY I THINK IT´S TIME TO UN-HIATUS THIS STORY AFTER HAVING THE OK FROM LISA. SHE IS DOING BETTER, THANK GOD.
IF DON´T REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED IN THE LAST CHAPTER I WOULD RECOMEND READ THE LAST ONE AGAIN TO GET SITUATED.
THE ONLY BAD THING IS THAT THE UNIVERSITY DIDN´T HELP ME IN THIS LITTLE PUBLISHING HIATUS TO GIVE ME TIME TO WRITE MORE CHAPTERS AS I HOPED SO THIS ONE IS THE ONLY ONE WRITTEN SO FAR. ENJOY.
I WANT TO THANK ALL THE PEOPLE THAT GAVE ME REVIEWS, ALERT MY STORY, ME AS AN AUTHOR AND OF COURSE PLACED THIS PROJECT AS FAVORITE, ALSO MY ANONYMOUS READERS. SO THANK YOU: GOODGIRLGONEBAD1984, ARUBAGIRL0926, NEVERLAST690, BJQ, DIANEHERMANS, FRAN87, CHARMINGMISSY, OPHIUCHUS, CITCAT, BOO, TANYA2BYOUR21, MARYRIZZO11, JESYEJESIGIRL, EMMA217, DEATHLYHOLLOWSGIRL, MARTHIE4EVER, KANODUM, LAURENKERRY, . .
I WISH TO THANKS MY WONDERFUL BETA / TRANSFORMER LISA OR AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW HER BY Leeese, SHE DID A FANTASTIC JOB WITH IT BECAUSE THIS IS NOT MY WRITTING STYLE AND EVEN THOUGH I TRY TO CHANGE IT, I CAN´T. SO KUDDOS TO HER.
DISCLAIMER: I DON´T OWN ANYTHING ABOUT OTH. IT ALL BELONGS TO MARK SCHWAHNN, THE CW, WARNER AND TOLLINS - ROBBINS.
I DON´T EVEN OWN THE SONG THAT BELONGS TO NICK LACHEY, AND HIS RECORD COMPANY.
HERE IT IS... AND PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW, THAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE ME.
BY THE WAY I INVITE YOU ALL TO CHECK MY OTHER STORY NAMED TAKING CHANCES, HERE IS THE LINK: s/7133371/1/TAKING_CHANCES
Chapter 24
It was Sunday in London. It was a warm, spring day and the sun was shining. It was one of the rare days of good weather that Lucas had seen in the capital of Great Britain since he had moved there. Everyone was at Gavin's house for the Christening party for his younger daughter. Lucas was sitting at one of tables with his best friend and his family as they chatted about a number of different topics.
"Great Party mate." Lucas said to Gavin as he watched the kids run around outside.
"Thanks." Gavin replied with a smile.
"You did great with this." Lucas told him.
"Wait, you think I did this?" Gavin asked in surprise.
"Yes."
"I have nothing to do with this," Gavin told him. "This is all Miranda."
"Really?"
"Yes. Didn't you realize in the past 15 years that we have known each other that I suck at planning parties?" Gavin asked his friend in an amused tone. "Especially baby ones."
"Actually I never realized that," Lucas replied. He then grinned as he added. "Because our parties were always successful."
"And that was because you saved those parties." Gavin told him as he laughed.
"Well I know I did," Lucas said as he chuckled. His laughter increased as he added. "And I am a hottie so thanks."
"Leave Mr. Vanity out please," Gavin said as he rolled his eyes and joined in with Lucas's chuckling. "So what's up with you? We haven't seen each other these past few days."
"I already finished the last book and submitted it to the publishing house." Lucas replied.
"Really?" Gavin asked in surprise.
"Really."
"Glad to hear that." Gavin told him.
"I had a little bit of writer's block for the finale but after that talk we had the other day, the finale just suddenly came to me." Lucas told him.
"So I inadvertently helped you with your writing?" Gavin asked in disbelief.
"Yes, you did mate so thanks." Lucas assured him.
"Mate, you are more then welcome," Gavin told him. He couldn't help adding. "Is it a good ending?"
"I think so, yes." Lucas replied.
"Well then you can totally tell me about it." Gavin said.
"Hell no." Lucas said as he laughed.
"Why not?" Gavin asked with a slight frown. "Don't you forget that I convinced you to become a paid writer".
"I know that and you are not going to read it because you will have to wait like the rest of the common people." Lucas said as he chuckled again.
"I'm not part of the common people. I'm your friend and practically your brother." Gavin reminded him.
"Yes you are but that doesn't give you any special privileges." Lucas told him.
"Luke, come on mate!" Gavin pleaded.
"Gav, stop asking now and for the next few days." Lucas said as he laughed again.
"How?" Gavin began to ask. However, Lucas cut him off.
"I know you Gav, that's why. Now changing the subject. I wanted to say how grateful I am that you have chosen me to be Anna's Godfather."
"It's nothing mate." Gavin assured him.
"It means everything to me." Lucas admitted.
"There is no one that can be a better Godfather to Anna than you." Gavin told him in a sincere tone.
"Thanks."
"Really, Miranda and I saw how you are with our children and we saw how great a Godfather you are to our Henry so we know we are not making a mistake by choosing you to take care of our children when we are gone." Gavin told him.
"Thanks Mate," Lucas said as he patted his friend on the back. "These words mean a lot because you know that I don't have kids so my niece, nephew and your kids are like my kids."
"I know mate, I know." Gavin replied in a soft tone.
"Plus I get to spoil them." Lucas added as he laughed. Gavin shook his head playfully as he joined in with Lucas's laughter. They continued chatting for a while longer before all the ladies joined them with pieces of the Christening cake.
~X~X~X~X~
Brooke didn't want to be where she was. She had flown to NY a week ago to organize a fashion show to present the new collection. She had wanted to do it in Tree Hill but since everyone in the fashion world insisted on New York, she had no choice but to do it there. Now she was finishing up the latest details for it. She sat on the chair at her desk to grab something from one of the drawers in her desk and as she did her eyes inadvertently landed on a picture of her and Ben.
She could clearly remember when that picture was taken. Ben had been 12 at the time and had insisted that everyone go to Central Park for a picnic. He had also insisted on taking that picture. It was of mother and son sitting on top of the blanket hugging. He had insisted upon it as he had said that she needed a more updated picture of them together. After she came out of the happy fog of the memory, a sense of sadness crept over her. She stayed sat in her seat and stared at the picture that was now in her hands
"Hey Brooke, I need to talk to you about the finale of the show," Rachel said as she came into the office. She trailed off as she saw the sad expression on Brooke's face. "Hey what's wrong Brookie?"
"Nothing is wrong." Brooke replied in a quiet tone.
"You have your sad face on." Rachel told her.
"This is my regular face." Brooke replied.
"Come on," Rachel said as she walked over to her friend. She then saw the picture in her hands. "It's Ben isn't it?"
"Always." Brooke replied as she handed the framed picture to the redhead.
"I remember that pic. We had a great day, he was so excited and you two were so happy, laughing and being you." Rachel said in a fond tone.
"I know. And what is strange is how we could go from this," Brooke began in a sad tone as she pointed at the picture. "To him not speaking to me?"
"Brookie, I don't know what to say." Rachel admitted.
"The truth." Brooke murmured.
"He is taking it harder than everyone expected." Rachel told her.
"You think Rach?" Brooke asked with a sigh. "He hasn't come home yet and when I go near him on the street, he turns around and goes the other way."
"Yeah I saw that." Rachel replied.
"Not to mention when I go into Karen's Café and he is there." Brooke continued.
"You never told me about that."
"Well he sees me and goes to Karen and he says that he has to go then turns around like I'm not there and walks away. Not even a look, I'm invisible to my son." Brooke said in a distraught tone.
"Don't say that."
"What do you want me to say?" Brooke asked sounding close to tears. "That my son hates me with everything he has? Sorry but I think I prefer to be invisible."
"Brooke he doesn't hate you." Rachel said, trying to calm her.
"I haven't heard a word from him in 3 months Rach." Brooke pointed out.
"Ben is half Scott, half Davis; he has a temper from both sides of the family and has difficulty to forgive," Rachel began. She gave Brooke a pointed look as she added. "Just like someone I know."
"I don't have that." Brooke insisted.
"This is too much for him to process. Give him time," Rachel said as she sat beside her friend and hugged her. "He will come back and I can assure you he will love you more than before. It takes a lot of ovaries to raise a kid on your own."
"How much time Rach?"
"As long as he needs."
"What if I never get him back?" Brooke asked in a worried tone.
"That won't happen." Rachel told her.
"How do you know?"
"Because besides his temper, Ben is a good kid with a good heart and genuine feelings," Rachel told her. "He thinks that I don't know but Jason and I lost track of the times he talked to any of us about getting married because he wants his aunt to be happy."
"Well he talked to me about that too." Brooke replied.
"See," Rachel said as she smiled. "He will come back Brooke, just be patient."
"But I miss him." Brooke said sadly.
"We all do." Rachel assured her.
"At least you get a hi from him." Brooke pointed out.
"Come on let's fix the last part of the show." Rachel said after a few moments of silence. She placed the picture back on the desk as she did.
"Ok."
~X~X~X~X~
Ben walked into Nathan and Haley's house as if it was his own. He loved their house and how his uncle and aunt treated him not only as their nephew; but as their own son too. The only thing that made him glad about suffering the pain of what Brooke had done was that he now had uncle and an aunt.
"Aunt Haley, Uncle Nathan." He yelled as he closed the front door.
"I'm in the kitchen Ben." Haley called back.
"Just the person I wanted to see." Ben said as he headed into the kitchen.
"First of all; hi Ben." Haley said as she smiled.
"Okay hi Aunt Haley." Ben replied as she laughed.
"It's called being polite," Haley said as she laughed slightly. "How are you?"
"I'm good." Ben replied.
"Good to know," Haley said. She then asked. "So what is my lovely nephew doing here?"
"Well I was sitting in Grandma Karen's living room watching TV and I was wondering if my Aunt Haley needed some help seeing as though Uncle Nathan recently had surgery." Ben replied.
"Awww Ben that is very thoughtful of you," Haley replied as he smiled at her nephew. "Thank you but I don't need anything."
"Okay," Ben replied as he returned the smile. "It doesn't hurt to ask."
"No it doesn't," Haley confirmed. "Were you bored in that house?"
"No," Ben told her. "You both treated me so well since you found out that I want to repay you."
"You don't have to repay us. We treat you like what you are; family," Haley told him softly. "Your uncle already told you about it."
"I know and thanks. Speaking of the devil." Ben replied trailing off.
"Yeah?" Haley asked when he didn't say anything more.
"I was wondering if I can go see him in his room."
"He is not in his room." Haley told him.
"What? Where is he? Is he back in the hospital?" Ben asked worriedly.
"Ben, relax," Haley said as she laughed. "Do you think that if your uncle was in the hospital I would be here and be so calm?"
"Then where is he aunt Haley?" Ben asked.
"He is out back in the pool working with the physiotherapist." Haley told him.
"What?" Ben asked in surprise.
"You heard me."
"How could that be? He only had the surgery 3 weeks ago." Ben said as he frowned.
"I know. But I wouldn't be surprised. The Scott men tend to progress rapidly when it comes to health issues," Haley told her nephew. "When your uncle had that car crash when he was a teenager he was practising basketball again in two weeks. And it was not a regular car crash; we are talking about NASCAR cars."
"Really?" Ben asked sounding even more surprised.
"Really. In fact your dad also had a car crash when he was a teenager; but that was just a regular car crash. He pulled his shoulder out of its socket and needed surgery on his spleen so the doctor told him no more basketball. Do you know what he did?"
"No. What did he do?" Ben asked curiously.
"He started practising basketball as soon as he could." She told him as she smiled at the memory.
"He did that?" Ben asked sounding slightly sceptical.
"Yeah, he did."
"How do you know all this stuff?" Ben asked again sounding curious.
"About your father, well he told me. And we have been best friends since we were 8 years old." Haley answered.
"Another thing." Ben said as he frowned slightly.
"What?"
"What is it with Scott's men and car crashes?" Ben asked inquisitively.
"I don't know." Haley replied as she laughed.
"Well good for my uncle Nathan," Ben replied before asking. "By the way is Jamie home?"
"Yeah he is."
"Awesome," Ben replied happily. "After I talk with my uncle, I'm going to invite him to shoot some hoops at the river court. So tell him not to move."
"Ok, don't worry I will tell him." Haley assured him.
"Thanks Aunt Haley." Ben said as he left the kitchen.
~X~X~X~X~
Lucas, Gavin, Miranda and Lindsey were all sitting at the table in backyard eating the last remains of christening cake on their plate. When Lindsey finished eating her piece she seized the moment to speak.
"Thank you Gavin and Miranda for inviting me to Anna's christening."
"You're welcome." Miranda told her in a friendly tone.
"Yes, you are welcome," Gavin replied. "It's nice to see my mate happy."
"I'm happy to make him happy," Lindsey said as she smiled. "But what I was trying to say is that since today is Anna's christening, it's a good day to give good news. So I want to take advantage of that and give a good news."
"Are you pregnant?" Gavin asked trying to be funny.
"Gavin!" Miranda said as she hit her husband on the arm and shook her head. "Let her talk".
"No I'm not. I'm not," Lindsey replied as she looked at Lucas briefly. "What I want to say is that yesterday I talked to my bosses and they told me that they have made a deal with a publishing house in the US. So they will sell Lucas's new book in his home country."
"Really?" Lucas asked sounding surprised.
"Really. But not only that, it will also have the promo tour that it deserves so congrats Luke." Lindsey said before she leaned over and kissed him. Lucas returned it before he smiled and said.
"Thank you."
"Congratulations mate. You totally deserve everything that is happening. I won't kiss you like she did so a male hug is the proper thing." Gavin said to his friend as he and Lucas shared a man hug.
"Thanks mate." Lucas replied in a happy tone.
"Congratulation Lucas," Miranda told him as she took her turn in hugging him. "I agree with Gavin that you totally deserve this."
"Thanks Miranda." Lucas said as he returned the hug.
"I still remember when I met Gavin that he couldn't shut up about his magnificent brother from another family that was one heck of a writer," she told Lucas. She smiled as she added. "Those are his words not mine."
"He said that?" Lucas asked sounding surprised.
"Yes he did." Miranda confirmed.
"I never knew that." Lucas admitted.
"Well you know now." Miranda said as she smiled.
"Do you really did that?" Lucas asked as he looked at Gavin.
"What can I say?" Gavin asked in reply. He sounded slightly embarrassed at the revelation. "I'm really proud of you mate and everything that you achieved."
"Thanks Gav. You knew me at my absolute worst and now you are with me when I'm successful and happy." Lucas told him.
"Hey Miranda. Later they'll say that we are the sentimental ones." Lindsey said as she laughed.
"Yes that's true." Miranda agreed as she too laughed.
"Shut up, you are just jealous of this bromance." Gavin told the women.
"Bromance mate?" Lucas asked with a frown as he gave his friend a dubious look.
"Yes."
"Where did you hear that?" Lucas asked.
"On the TV the other day," Gavin told him. "I was watching some series from your country."
"Really? Which one?" Lucas asked curious.
"I was watching Fringe." Gavin answered.
"Isn't that show over?" Lucas asked him.
"Yes, it was a re- run but I love that show." Gavin told him.
"I know you do." Lucas said in amusement.
"It was followed by a new episode of Almost Human." Gavin continued.
"I was planning on watching that show." Lucas admitted.
"It's so good but I will forever love Fringe more than any TV show that's ever been created," Gavin said. "It's an epic Science Fiction show and Anna Torv could be the only person I will seriously consider to cheat on Miranda with."
"Hey!" Miranda said as she slapped her husband's arm once more.
"Watch what you say." Lucas told him as he laughed.
"Sorry love but it's true." Gavin told her.
"Will you cheat on me with her too Luke?" Lindsey asked with a slight smile on her lips.
"Indeed she is gorgeous," Lucas replied. "But I'm a one woman kind of guy."
"You better be." Lindsey told him as she laughed.
"Lucas if you ever meet her, I will kick your ass if you give her number to
Gavin." Miranda warned him.
"Love; you don't mess with this bromance." Gavin told his wife.
"Don't worry Miranda, I won't." Lucas assured her.
"Mate!" Gavin said in a disappointed tone.
"Sorry Gav, I got you two together and I don't want to be the reason why you break up." Lucas told him.
"Smart choice, honey." Lindsey said before she kissed Lucas gently on the lips. Lucas eagerly returned it before the two of them embraced.
~X~X~X~X~
Brooke was looking at some paperwork in her office that the financial department had left for her, when she heard a knock on the door.
"Yeah?" Brooke asked not looking up from the paperwork.
"Rachel said that you called for me." A voice said from the doorway.
"Yes," Brooke said as she looked up and saw Jason. "Yes come in and sit down."
"Okay." Jason said as he went into the office and sat in the chair at the opposite side of the desk to where Brooke sat.
"Hectic day today." Brooke said in a weary tone.
"Aren't all fashion show days like that?" Jason asked with a slight laugh.
"Sadly yes."
"What do you need from me?" Jason asked her.
"I wanted to know if you are ready to take the pictures of the fashion show." Brooke replied.
"Don't worry Brooke," Jason replied. "I'm always ready."
"Well that is always good to know." Brooke told him.
"Okay."
"Did you set all the lights?" Brooke asked.
"I'm not your light people," Jason said with another light chuckle. "I'm just a photographer."
"Okay," Brooke replied. "Did you do your measurements with the different show of light we are going to use?"
"Yes I did."
"Don't forget that from one side of the room to the other, the telemetry changes a bit," Brooke told him. "And it's not the same if you took them from the back or if you took them from the front."
"Are you seriously going to teach me how to do my job?" Jason asked in amusement.
"No I'm not," Brooke replied with a sigh. "Sorry."
"Relax," Jason told her in a reassuring tone. "I have taken care of everything and don't forget that it's not the first Clothes Over Bros. fashion show that you have hired me to do."
"I know and I trust you. That is why I hired you." Brooke said as she reached over and gave his hand a friendly squeeze.
"Brooke." Jason began in a soft tone.
"Yes?"
"Rach told me how Ben doesn't speak to you and how hard it's been on you." He said gently.
"Yes, I'm taking it hard." Brooke admitted.
"I know because I have been there by your side since he was a few months old," Jason told her. "I saw everything you did for him. Yes some things I did not agree but on others I did and still do."
"I know that you and Rach have your opinions."
"What I wanted to say is do you want me to go back with you and Rach to Tree Hill?" Jason asked. "If you need me, if you need your friend, I'm there."
"What about your job?" Brooke asked with a concerned frown.
"My job is fine," Jason assured her. "Since I'm my own boss, I can take free time whenever I want to."
"But isn't this your busiest season?" Brooke asked.
"Don't tell Rachel but I will confess to you that I have enough money saved and I can afford to miss this season." Jason told her as he gave her a cheeky grin.
"Well look at that. But what will be the point? It's enough for Rach to pick up my pieces every time I wake up and pass by his bedroom and realized that he is not there and I don't know if or when he is coming back," Brooke said sadly. "I don't want that for you too."
"Hey don't say that. I'm your friend through thick and thin," Jason told her. "I was also thinking since I always have had a special relationship with Ben, maybe I can talk to him and convince him to talk to you; to forgive you."
"You're right; you always had a special relationship with him." Brooke agreed.
"See," Jason told her. "Maybe I can make it work."
"It doesn't hurt to try right?" Brooke asked trying to sound optimistic.
"Right."
"Thanks Jason." Brooke said in a grateful tone.
"You don't need to thank me," Jason told her. "You, Rach and Ben are my family. I'm willing to do everything for my family."
"Okay."
"Well now this body is leaving since I need to prep the very last thing to do the job." Jason said as he stood.
"See you tonight right?" Brooke asked him.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
~X~X~X~X~
Ben stepped out into backyard, looking for the pool. He easily located it after a few seconds. He saw his uncle being sustained by some kind of belt that held him under his arms to keep him straight. It was then attached to some mechanical arm. He also saw that the water covered Nathan right up to his arm pits. Next to his uncle was a physiotherapist helping Nathan to move his legs.
"Hi Uncle Nate." Ben said as he walked closer to the pool.
"Hey nephew!" Nathan greeted as he moved his gaze from the physiotherapist and to Ben,
"Aunt Haley told me you were out here," Ben explained. "And now that I've seen it with my own two eyes, I just can't believe it!"
"Pretty great right?" Nathan asked as he grinned.
"Yes." Ben confirmed.
"Hey Mark this is my nephew Ben." Nathan said as he began the introductions.
"Hello." Mark greeted Ben.
"Ben this is my physiotherapist Mark." Nathan continued.
"Hi," Ben greeted in response. "How is my uncle doing?"
"Well we just started today but I see promise." Mark informed Ben.
"Great," Ben said happily. "We all want to see my uncle walking soon."
"Kiddo, I want that more than anything," Nathan told him. He then asked. "So how are you?"
"I'm good Uncle Nathan."
"Looking for Jamie right?" Nathan asked with another grin.
"Yeah but that's not the only reason that I came." Ben told him.
"So what's the other reason?" Nathan asked.
"I came to see if Aunt Haley needed help." Ben answered.
"Thanks buddy for offering," Nathan said sounding grateful. "What did she say?"
"She said no."
"If she said that then it's true." Nathan told Ben as he chuckled.
"Does it hurt to be "grabbed" like that?" Ben asked with a frown.
"Do you mean by this safety harness?" Nathan asked to clarify.
"Yeah."
"So far not at all" Nathan admitted.
"Okay"
"Buddy, it's a good thing that you're here. I was going to tell your aunt to call you," Nathan told Ben. "There is something I want to talk to you about."
"Sure, what's up?" Ben asked.
"About your mom." Nathan began.
"I don't want to talk about her or anything related to her." Ben said in a firm tone.
"Ben listen," Nathan began. "Don't be as stubborn as your mom."
"If you are going to talk about her, I'm leaving." Ben warned.
"Hear me out for a few minutes; there are things you should know." Nathan said.
"I think I already know everything." Ben scoffed.
"No, you don't. You don't know how your mother or I grew up okay? We didn't have
the best childhoods. She and I grew up together so in a way we are kind of brother and sister. Her parents, your grandparents were never there for her; they preferred parties and social events than be at home with her. For as long as she can remember she had a nanny at her side and when she met her friend Peyton, she practically lived in her house. When she became a teenager, the nannies stopped working there and she was truly alone," Nathan began to explain. "The money your grandparents used for the nannies now went to your mom. So imagine a girl with all that money and with no love from the people that brought her to this world, she went wild. The only good thing in her life was your father, my brother; he gave her a direction, love, goals to achieve. In two years she stopped being a wild child and became class president. And she created Clothes Over Bros."
"So that is when the company started?" Ben asked.
"Well yes. So imagine how she felt when everything that you already know went down.
She wanted you to grow up in a house full of love. Not like her that was in a house full of fights and hate. You name it, it was there. She didn't care if it was a house with one parent or a house with two parents. She had two but it was like none." Nathan continued.
"Did you finish?" Ben asked sounding bored.
"Yes."
"What is the point of all of this?" Ben asked.
"The point is so that you understand a bit better why she made the choices she did," Nathan told him. "Whether they were bad or good, she had reasons and she was by your side all the time."
"I'm glad that you are getting better uncle. I'm going to get Jamie so we can go to
the river court." Ben replied.
"Think about it okay Ben?" Nathan asked.
"Bye Uncle Nathan." Ben said as he turned and walked away from the pool.
~X~X~X~X~
A few days later Brooke was back in Tree Hill with Rachel and Jason. She desperately wanted to know how Ben was. She knew that for that information she needed to talk to two people; one was Karen and the other was Haley. She decided that she would speak with Haley first, so she went to her house and knocked on the door. She waited for a few minutes and got no reply. She decided to see if the door was unlocked. It turned out that it was so she went into the house. She found Haley in the kitchen doing some dishes.
"Hey Hales." Brooke greeted. The sound of her voice almost caused Haley to drop the plate she held.
"Damn you scared me Brooke." Haley replied before she took a deep breath to calm her nerves.
"I knocked but there was no answer so I decided to let myself in." Brooke explained in an apologetic tone.
"No problem," Haley replied as her heartbeat returned to normal. "This house is your house too."
"Thanks Hales," Brooke replied in a grateful tone. She then added. "The same goes with my house."
"You're welcome," Haley replied. "I'm surprised that you're back from New York already. How was the fashion show?"
"It came out great." Brooke told her as she smiled.
"So happy for you." Haley said with a smile of her own.
"Do you want me to help you with the dishes?" Brooke offered.
"No I'll finish them up later. I'm going to let them soak for a bit because I swear to God I don't know what Jamie does when he is eating," Haley replied. "He manages to get his food stuck on the plates in a way that makes it look like he's welded it on."
"Okay." Brooke replied with a laugh.
"Let's go and sit," Haley said. "You probably want to talk and it's better to be comfy."
"How do you know me so well?" Brooke asked.
"15 years of friendship. You might be rich and famous but deep down inside; you are still the same old Brooke that I became friends with 15 years ago. Come," Haley said as she dragged Brooke to the couch, where the two of them sat side by side. "Shoot."
"I was wondering-" Brooke began. However, Haley cut her off.
"Ben right?" she asked in a knowing tone.
"Yeah." Brooke confirmed.
"What do you want to know?" Haley asked.
"How was he while I was gone in New York?" Brooke asked in a concerned tone.
"Ben was fine; he was hanging out with Jamie a lot or with Nathan and me. He also helped Karen in the cafe for a few days," Haley began to explain. "He was here a few days ago asking me if I needed help now that Nathan is getting over his surgery. Then later he went out with Jamie."
"So he didn't miss me at all." Brooke asked in a hurt and disappointed tone.
"I don't what you want me to say. He is so stubborn just like you and Lucas. Every time Karen or I want to talk with him about forgiving you, he gets really mad and walks away," Haley replied. "The only one he pays a little bit of attention to is Nathan when it comes to the subject. He is so hurt."
"But it's been 3 months Hales." Brooke said in a frustrated tone.
"I know and I know how are you feeling because we are both moms," Haley replied in a sympathetic tone. "And I sincerely don't know what I would do if I was in your place."
"How have the rest of the family welcomed him?"
"I can only speak for my family," Haley replied. "We told Jamie and Sophia that Ben was their cousin. Of course Sophia had to ask that how could he be our cousin if Uncle Lucas doesn't have kids."
"What did you say?"
"Since we all think that you should be the one to tell Lucas the truth; we told her that since you are like a sister to me, he is my nephew," Haley replied. "Both statements are the truth."
"How did you tell Jamie?" Brooke asked.
"With him we both sat down and explained everything to him; no lying. We also told him that he shouldn't say anything until you do." Haley replied.
"How did he respond?" Brooke asked hesitantly.
"He asked what he should call him."
"What did you guys say?"
"We told him he should call him Cousin Ben or whatever makes him comfortable." Haley replied.
"Good answer."
"So I learned that he is calling him Ben," Haley continued. "And when they are in the presence of strangers he refers to him as his cousin Ben."
"I feel at peace that everyone is treating him so well." Brooke said sounding relieved.
"I know that Karen already talked to Lily but I don't know what she told her." Haley added.
"Okay. Thanks for letting me know."
"You don't have to thank me," Haley told her. "You are both family."
"How is he doing in school?"
"Now he is good."
"What happened before?" Brooke asked in a worried tone.
"He went through a little slump when he first found out the truth. But now he's caught up and is getting all A´s. Like father like son." Haley said as she laughed slightly.
"But he is going to pass right?" Brooke asked in concern.
"Yes don't worry," Haley assured her. "And don't forget that if he needs it, he has his aunt that could tutor him."
"Thanks Haley, for everything," Brooke said gratefully. "I don't know what I would have done if I told him the truth when we were back in New York."
"Well you don't have to worry about that since that didn't happen."
"Yes you're right." Brooke murmured.
"Here you and him will always have a support net." Haley added.
"You're going to make me cry." Brooke said as she leaned over and hugged Haley.
"Not my intention, believe me." Haley said as she returned the hug.
~X~X~X~X~
Back in England, Lucas and Lindsey had just arrived back at Lucas's mansion after leaving Anna's christening. They went straight up to the master bedroom room since Lindsey was spending the night. Lucas was sat on the bed and Lindsey was currently stood between his legs as she relieved him of his tie. Lucas had his hands on her slender waist as she did.
"Lindsey, answer me something okay?" he said suddenly.
"Okay. What?" she asked in reply.
"It would be wrong if I go back to the States for the tour and I didn't visit my mom right?" he asked with a frown.
"Why don't you want to visit your mom?" Lindsey asked in a puzzled tone.
"Because there are things in Tree Hill that don't make me feel good." He admitted.
"Your Uncle Keith's memories right?" Lindsey asked softly.
"Yes." Lucas lied.
"You have to go there," Lindsey told him in the same soft tone. "Because if your mom knows that you are there and you didn't go to see her; she will feel devastated."
"So you are telling me it would be wrong right?" he asked.
"Right."
"Can I ask you another thing?" Lucas asked.
"Of course." Lindsey replied as she removed his jacket.
"Is there any possibility that you can work the dates in the schedule so I can have a week off between the European Promotion Tour and the American?" he asked.
"Is that really what you want?" she asked as she began to unbutton his shirt.
"Yes."
"Well I will definitely try to do that for you," she replied. "And I can probably say that I could. But let me see okay?"
"Okay," Lucas replied. "Can I ask you another thing?"
"You are very inquisitive tonight mister." Lindsey said before she kissed him. Lucas quickly returned it.
"I am." Lucas replied as their lips separated.
"Okay what do you want to ask now?" Lindsey asked him.
"Can you come with me?"
"Where?"
"To America." Lucas answered.
"You know honey," Lindsey began before she gave him a peck on the lips. "That I can't go there as your editor. The office from there will assign you a person that will be there for you through the entire tour."
"I don't want you there as my editor," Lucas explained. "I want you to be there in that week off so you can meet my mom and the rest of the family. So I can tell them all that you are my girlfriend."
"Oh honey that is so sweet." Lindsey said as she smiled.
"You know I'm a sweet guy." Lucas replied as he returned the smile.
"Yes, you are."
"So what is your answer?"
"Well I will try to make a hole on my schedule so I can go and meet your family." Lindsey told him.
"I think that everyone will love you." He said in a happy tone.
"I'm sure that I will love them too."
"So why don't we stop talking and do something more productive?" Lucas asked in a seductive tone.
"Like what?" Lindsey asked faking ignorance. She knew exactly what was on his mind.
"Like this." Lucas said as he manoeuvred them so that she was beneath him on the bed. As their lips joined both of them instinctively knew that sleep would be at least several hours away.