A few days has passed since that day at the hospital with Lucas and Nathan by her side. No bickering. No fighting. No war. It has been comforting for Haley that his two "boytoys", as she constantly loved to tease them, have made peace. And this eventually helped her to recover faster. Who would not? With the two of them always encouraging her and helping her to the usual stuff, no doubt her hope and optimism was boosted.

Especially today, Haley was feeling extra happy, as she watched her mother pack up the stuff they had brought for her during her stay. Her clothes, some of her books and her assignments. The hospital was not that bad for it sure made time for her missing rest and relaxation that she was not able to have for the past years. But it was time for her to go and she was super excited. She was woken up with this great news and she could not explain why she felt jittery all over. She cannot wait to be on her feet and be tutorgirl once again. But at the same time she cannot help but wonder what effect her sickness had brought to her world in Tree Hill.

At the James' Residence

"O c'mon Brooke! Don't be such a pain in the ass and help me put up this banner!" Peyton yelled from downstairs. She and Brooke decided to throw a mini-get together to welcome back Haley to her normal and active life. She knew it would lift her spirits and thought made her really look forward to their planned event. But Ms. Teen Spirit Brooke seems to be busy with something else and Peyton decided to see it for herself. She stomped upstairs and almost laughed out loud when she witnessed what Brooke was doing.

"Brooke, don't tell me you're experimenting with Haley's clothes?" Peyton exclaimed as she burst out heaps of laughter. Clearly there is no need to ask the question, because of the evidence lying all over the floor and bed. And there was Brooke, wearing one of Haley's signature vintage style shirts and her favorite red jacket facing a full-body mirror.

"I just don't understand why Haley does not wear more girly clothes" Brooke asked as she twirled and posed in front of the mirror. In the background, she could still her best friend control her giggles that she could not help but smile herself.

"When Haley gets well, first thing I'll do is treat her to some shopping spree." And with that she faced Peyton with a contented smile on her face.

"Ok..ok. But let me tell you that Haley's style in not unfashionable. It's just her and she would not be Haley without it. Just like you would not be Brooke without your slutty clothes." Peyton said a-matter-of-factly with a smirk on her face.

"Hey! My clothes are not slutty!" as she threw one of Haley's clothes toward her direction. "I prefer sexy...with an extra edge." Brooke arched an eyebrow towards Peyton direction "Yeah I get it. Personal style. Like you and your goth looks."

"Excuse me B. Davis, I like to think of my style as expressive. Dark, but expressive. And I think we should stop this conversation right now or else our surprise will never be finished." Peyton warned Brooke, as she began to head downstairs once again.

"Be right there Peyton. Just need to get these clothes off me." And with that Brooke looked one last time at the mirror. "Besides, these makes me look fat."

"You're not fat!" Peyton exclaimed downstairs with an exasperated laugh. "Now get you're butt down here and be useful! Lucas would be dropping by any minute now to check on us."

"Ok! Ok! Don't be such a Peytator!" As Brooke descended with a handful of party stuff in her hands. "I don't like low-energy parties" She said with a pout.

"Well I don't like low-energy Brooke." Peyton said with a smirk. "Now let's get to work."

After a few hours…

Peyton and Brooke were slouching side by side in the James' sofa, clearly a bit tired from what they have done. But as they surveyed what they have achieved – yummy foods in the table, some mini-balloons, welcome home cards for Haley from the people at Tree Hill High displayed in the walls, music from Sarah McLachlan playing in the background and the dvd-player ready to play some home-made videos for Haley – they were pretty contented.

A knock on the floor disturbed their momentary peace, which made Brooke jump.

"Oh my God it's her!"

"Chill Brooke, it's just Lucas checking up on us." Peyton said as she stood up and opened the door.

"Yeah I knew that. I'm just kidding." Brooke laughed as she stood up as well and hugged Lucas.

They watched Lucas' reaction as his eyes wandered across the James' living room and he could not help but smile.

"Wow girls. You outdid yourself this time." Lucas said as he gave Brooke and Peyton a big bearhug.

"Well with Peyton the slavedriver here, who wouldn't." Brooke joked. "Kidding again! But you're lucky that you're my best friend or the B in B. Davis would not stand for Brooke."

"I'm sorry. But it's great isn't it?" Peyton said as they stood silently for a moment.

"Yeah it's great. And it's great that she's coming back." Brooke whispered, tearing up a little. Peyton put her arms around her best friend and Lucas did the same.

"I want to thank both of you for welcoming Haley into your lives as you have done to me. Or maybe more. Thanks for being there when I wasn't and for protecting her when I can't. For a long time, we were the only friends that each other have. She's my best friend you know?" Lucas said as a tear fell down his face, not afraid to show his emotions. "But now I know that she has Nathan. And now, both of you as well. Thank you for loving her as much as I do."

Lucas heartfelt speech roused the waterworks in them. But at the same time, Lucas said "Haley can't see us like this! She hates it when people act like this in front of her, all dramatic and stuff" This remark made Peyton and Brooke laugh.

"She's just a jolly person." Lucas said as if explained everything.

"Ok let's put on our happy faces and get this show on the road. Haley's going to be home anytime soon with Nathan and her folks. So let's have a telephone brigade and call her friends. Luke, you call the Rivercourt boys. Brooke, call up her students and some friends at Tree Hill. And I will call whoever I could find. Ok?"

She noticed Brooke and Lucas looking at each other with a mischievous glint in their eyes as they both faced her with a suppressed smile.

"Told you she's a dictator" Brooke said loudly to Lucas.

"Now I know. I'm scared" Lucas said laughingly, feigning fear.

"O c'mon stop it you two!" Peyton said. "Get back to work!" She ordered, unaware of herself.

And with this last command, Brooke and Lucas reached for their phones and with Peyton dawning on the realization "Oh no, I'm a dictator."

Laughter filled the James' residence as they did the final step for Haley's party.