A/N: I'm sorry for ending the chapter the way I did, but I have to leave people hanging sometimes.

Chapter Twenty-Five: Love

"I think my kid divorced me," Brooke says as she and Haley drive out of Tree Hill.

"Brooke, teenagers change their minds all the time. Maybe this is what Sam needs."

"You don't know what my kid needs!" Brooke says harshly.

Haley bites the bottom of her lip and looks out her passenger side window. Brooke grabs onto Haley's hand and interlocks their fingers.

"I'm sorry baby. This whole thing with Sam is just really killing me."

"It's the first time you've lived without Sam. It's just going to take some time to get used to. In the mean time we have two weeks to celebrate our engagement and I was hoping we could start planning some of the wedding."

Brooke brings their interlocked hands to her lips and she kisses them.

"It's okay to miss her baby, I'll miss her too."

"Yeah, I know its okay, but I can't really dwell on it anymore. I just want to spend these next two weeks with you and then everything will be perfect."

-BTM-

One week after having her daughter move in, things were great with Rachel. Her relationship with her daughter was improving greatly. But tonight things were going to be tested, her relationship with Erika, her relationship with Brooke and her relationship with her daughter.

"So, what are your plans for this Saturday's night?" Rachel asks as she, Sam and Erika sit down for breakfast.

"I'm not really sure. I figured I would hang out with Jenna and go do some…stuff," Sam replies vaguely. She knew her mother wouldn't allow her to do what she wanted to do.

Erika looks at her plate and bites the bottom of her lip. She knew why Sam was so vague, working at the school she heard about the party.

"Why are you being vague with me?"

"I'm not I swear," Sam says to quickly with wide eyes.

Rachel sets her fork on the plate and just stares at her daughter. Sam sighs.

"Okay, so there is this party—"

"No," Rachel says quickly having already made up her mind at the word party.

"But mom," Sam complains.

"No!"

"Samantha, I said no."

Sam slams her fork down at the table and groans.

"You are so infuriating!"

"I'm a mom, I'm supposed to be," Rachel said with calmness.

"I can't sit here and listen to this. You're being unreasonable," Sam states as she stands up.

"You weren't excused so sit down and finish eating."

Sam glares at her mother and forcibly sits herself in the chair. She stabs her fork into her food and continues to eat. Rachel glances at Erika and Erika looked away.

-BTM-

Rachel storms into her bedroom and slams the door. Erika comes out of the bathroom and frowns.

"You could have helped me down there, you know."

"And what was I supposed to do. Rachel, she's not my kid. I have no standing here. She wasn't breaking any house rules. She was breaking your rules."

"That's what this is about isn't it?"

"What?" Erika questions with a raised eyebrow.

"The fact that Sam is not yours, that's why you won't do anything, because she's not your blood you won't take a stand," Erika looks away and Rachel knows she's hit the spot. "Well news flash Erika, she isn't my blood either. That doesn't stop me from being a mother to her."

Erika nods her head and sighs.

"I know," Erika looks at Rachel. "But I don't know where I fit in. Am I just your girlfriend? Am I a friend to Sam? Will this relationship move forward? Will ever actually be a mom? I don't know who I am or where I stand anywhere. With Haley it seemed like everything was falling into place and then Brooke comes and I get thrown for a loop."

Rachel kneels in front of Erika as Erika slumps down onto the bed.

"I love you Erika, okay? I fell for you fast, maybe even the first time I saw you," Erika smiles. "I come with a history, as you do too, but I told you that I am going to marry you and we will have our own children," Rachel chuckles, "well you will, I'll just adopt them." Erika laughs as tears fall from her eyes. "But I promise that you will have a role in my daughter's life. You have the right to go parental on her, its okay and if she hates you, it's a good thing because that means she cares."

Erika nods her head with a smile.

"I guess I'll practice now. My guess is when you enter your daughter's room, the window will be open and she will be nowhere in sight."

"How would you know that?"

"She's a teenager, plus apparently this party is supposed to be off the hook."

Rachel rolls her eyes and storms down the hall to her daughter's room.

-BTM-

"We had two weeks to go wherever we wanted and we chose New York why?" Haley asks as Brooke wraps her arms around her fiancés waist.

"New York was my home away from home. I just wanted to show you. Is that so bad?" Brooke asks with a gentle smile.

"No it's not," Haley whispers as she turns around. "I love the city lights. Ever since we came here I keep replaying our break-up in my mind and I can't really remember why I chose not to go to New York with you."

"I'm glad that you didn't come with me," At Haley's look Brooke quickly kisses her to prevent any arguments. "I met Rachel here in New York. I got Sam out of that marriage and I won't ever take that back."

"And I wouldn't want you to, but it was supposed to be us. We talked about it throughout our Senior Year Brooke. I kind of hurt me when I knew you had a daughter. But I love Sam, she's a mini you. I just want a mini me."

Brooke rests her forehead against Haley's.

"Then I think we should practice a little bit."

"It's impossible to do that you know," Haley says as her lips ghost over Brooke's.

"I know, but it's always fun practicing."

Brooke lowers her lips to Haley's as Haley's hands find the way under Brooke's shirt and up to her breasts slowly stroking them.

"God baby, do you know what you do to me?" Brooke moans.

"Nope, why don't you show me?"