Chapter 26

The living room was bustling with activity, as Karen and Deb cajoled their respective sons off the couch. Keith and Dan had left a moment before, to get their vehicles warmed up for the trips each family was making. Nathan and Haley escaped to the relative privacy of the kitchen, as the rest of the group milled about the living room.

Lucas quietly stood in a corner of the vast living room, trying to shake off the effects of his catnap. He was getting stronger, but compared to what? He was still short of breath and he got so tired doing the most mundane things. He turned to watch the occupants of the room scurry about and smiled. He no longer felt totally isolated from everyone else around him. He wasn't the center of the world by any means, but he now somehow felt a part of the group, even if he chose to stand on the periphery. It was by choice this time, not by alienation.

He'd purposeful watched any and all interaction between his mother and Dan after rejoined the group, but he couldn't get any indication from either of them as to what might have gone on in that room. When he'd sent Keith a questioning glance, he was quietly told they'd discuss it later. Whatever that might mean, Lucas worried.

Someone grabbed his arm and tugged him gently back into the center of the room. He looked down at Brooke and smiled. She had the most beautiful smile he'd ever seen and the ability to light up an entire room just with the power of it. Luke pulled her into his arms and slowly exhaled. He was lucky she was giving him the time of day, he realized.

"Hey handsome, what's up with the morose 'tude?" Brooke asked, pulling away enough to stare into his deep blue eyes.

He smiled down at her, feeling damn near content for the first time in his life. His mom was back in town; his uncle Keith was being overprotective. He wasn't fighting with Nathan anymore, and he actually could talk to his biological father. Luke didn't know what the future held, but for the first time in his life, it looked bright, rather than dismal.

"Excellent word choice," Luke complimented, knowing that Brooke wasn't as shallow as she acted. "I am not really morose, just kind of tired and apprehensive."

Brooke played with the neckline of his faded blue t-shirt. "Why apprehensive? Things are going well with the 'rents, you and Nathan are being civil to one another, and you're dating me. Could life be any more perfect?"

Laughing, Luke shook his head. "Nah, life couldn't be any more perfect. Except that we have no idea what went on behind those closed doors. I have no idea if my mom is furious at me for bring Dan back into our lives. And there's a general unsettled feeling from this entire situation."

Brooke considered his words for a moment, as she ran a finger over his chin fuzz. "You worry too much, Lucas. Just let your parents work the details out. You can't control either of them or the way they react to each other. And besides, you are the kid here. You should not feel guilty for wanting both of your parents in your life," she added, watching as he processed her advice.

"I guess you are right. I've just spent my entire life making sure that he didn't hurt my mother. And now I am putting them in the same room together, which doesn't seem fair to my mom," he complained, realizing that he was very close to whining. Brooke didn't seem to mind, though, as she continued rubbing his back in a soothing manner. She had the singular ability to calm his nerves. And an even better skill at making his thoughts stop.

"It will all work out. Just concentrate on getting better," she scolded, after Lucas coughed a bit. He was still pale and lethargic, Brooke noticed. The bruises on his forehead stood out like a neon sign at night. Even his gorgeous blue eyes were a bit dull.

Hearing him cough, Karen and Deb swarmed over, immediately inspecting the boy. Deb looked at Karen and said, "The doctor warned us about bronchitis and pneumonia. It's the biggest side affect from the smoke inhalation."

Karen studied Luke for a moment, noticing that he did look tired and drawn. "He's been up too long. Too much excitement for one day," she fretted, running her hand over his cheek to check for fever. She pulled back and studied her son and Brooke as they talked with Deb. She wondered when he was going to fall head over heels for a girl. And by the looks of things, Brooke had him totally under her spell. She looked around the room, noticing for the first time that Haley and Nathan were both missing. It looked like a lot of the kids were under spells, she thought, as she turned her attention back to the conversation in front of her.

Haley pulled Nathan into the kitchen and shoved him against the pantry door. "Oh, I love it when you get aggressive, Tiger," he joked, loving the way that she kissed him. Haley responded by pressing her hips against his and capturing his mouth with her own. Nathan bent down, leaning into the kiss, and wrapped his arms around her waist, as the kiss intensified. He came up for air and sighed. "I don't want you to leave," he admitted, groaning as she slid her hand up the back of his shirt.

Haley smiled at his reaction. She loved how she had the ability to elicit such a reaction from Nathan. "I don't want to leave. But I do need to spend part of the holiday with my family," she reminded him. "Besides, I don't think I am up for meeting the grandparents yet. Dan is more than enough Scott for me. But I will definitely miss being able to slip into your room after midnight."

Nathan shrugged and muttered something unintelligible as her hands began to move around his waist, toward his abs. In a few short years, Nathan had been a precocious date, always willing to kiss and explore his female companions. But he'd never known such desperation as he did with Haley. He was dying to hold her, touch her, kiss her. All of a sudden, he realized that she wasn't a conquest or a game, but rather someone he wanted to know intimately. It was such a radically different emotion than what he'd had with Peyton or any of the girls before her.

Haley noticed as a strange look crossed his face and pulled her hands away from his stomach. "I shouldn't have done that, Nate. I didn't mean to be so aggressive," she apologized, mistaking the look in his eyes as apprehension.

"No…aggressive is good", he said, when he stopped mid-sentence. Nathan suddenly picked her up and moved a few steps across the floor and sat her gently on the edge of the kitchen island, in the center of the room. She was now about equal height to him, making it much easier for him to reach out and touch her. He caressed her check softly before slipping between her knees so that their bodies were flush together. Haley felt a thrill race up her spine at the feral look that Nathan gave her, before he kissed her again. She returned his kiss, deepening it and exploring his mouth. Nathan slid his hands down her back and under her shirt, stealthy moving both hands up the sides of her body even as she pressed her body harder against his.

"Nathan . . ." Dan started, as he walked into the room, stopping as he took in the site of his son and his son's girlfriend making out. Nathan instinctively jerked back, leaving Haley precariously perked on the edge of the island. Haley flushed a deep red, knowing that Nate's father must think she was a total slut. Three days in the man's house and he'd walked in on them multiple times.

Dan fought a smile at the site of the panting kids. "I was going to say that the cars were warmed up and ready, but I think you two beat me to the punch," he joked, trying to relieve the mortified look on Haley's face. He wasn't so old that he didn't remember doing similar things in his parent's house. But Dan realized that he was going to have to have a serious talk with his son about sex and birth control. He recognized the look of raw lust on both their faces and knew the consequences that such looks often led to. It was more than just keeping his son from getting Haley pregnant. Sex could be about life or death these days, which were consequences he'd never had to worry about at their age.

Reaching out for Nathan's hand, Haley muttered "thanks" to Dan as they literally ran out of the room. Dan slowly followed them into the living room, where Keith was already packing up Luke's things. He walked over to his older brother and motioned toward where all the kids stood talking. "I think we both need to have some serious talks with those boys about sex," he offered, before grabbing boxes of Luke's gifts and walking out toward the front door. Keith picked up the remaining boxes and Luke's old duffle bag and studied the kids across the room. Sighing, he followed his younger brother outside, realizing that their boys were growing up.

Karen watched as they carried Luke's stuff outside to the Jeep. She'd have to look at the gifts Dan and Deb had gotten him later. She worried about that, seeing how many boxes were being carried out. She'd never really spent that much on Lucas for Christmas. At first it was because she couldn't afford to do so, but later on, it became a matter of principle. She didn't need to go into debt to buy her son gifts for Christmas. Of course she doubted that Dan would have to go into debt to spoil either of his sons. If Dan lacked parental skills, he certainly made up for it materially.

She turned around and watched as her son and girlfriend softly talked in a corner of the room. Deb had mentioned that Brooke had no one waiting for her at home, but Karen was confused as to where she was going to spend the rest of the night. Deb and Dan were going to his parents and she and Keith were taking Luke home to rest.

"Deb, does Brooke have some place to go?" she questioned, not sure how they were going to handle breaking the young couples up for the night. Nathan and Haley looked as if they were being sent to different countries, and her son wasn't looking much happier.

Deb shrugged her shoulders at Karen's inquiry. "I invited her to stay with us, so she's more than welcomed to come to May and Roy's with us." Karen slyly looked at Deb, and they both broke out in laughter. "Talk about cruel trips, Deb. We don't want to scar the girl at such an age by subjecting her to three generations of Scotts," Karen said.

Deb smiled, before realizing that Karen actually knew what it was like to be in her position. She tended to forget that her new friend had spent many holidays with her in laws. In fact, Karen probably knew things about Dan's family that Deb didn't even know, which was a strange thing to say after 16 years of marriage.

Brooke overheard part of their conversation and walked over with Lucas. "Don't worry about me," she began. "I was planning on spending the night alone at home. This has been a great day already and you all were so kind to invite me." Even though they had the best of intentions, Brooke hated being the object of anyone's pity. She'd been dumped by her parents enough to know how to handle days like this. She already had the Oreos and DVDs lined up for the night's solitude. She smiled reassuringly at them, touched that both women cared where she spent her holiday night. Brooke could definitely see where Lucas got his compassionate nature.

Deb gave Karen a short look before smiling at Brooke. "I am serious, Brooke. We'd love to have you come with us to Dan's parents." Brooke looked over at Nathan who was shaking his head "no" with deep conviction. He didn't want to go, so why would any of his friends want to go through the hell that was his grandparents?

"Brooke can stay with us tonight," Karen began, noting that Luke's face lit up like a proverbial Christmas tree. "But we only have two bedrooms, and while Luke could normally sleep on the couch, I don't know if that's wise in his current medical state…"

She trailed off, looking uncertainly from Luke to Brooke.

"She could stay in your room and you could stay over at Keith's tonight," Lucas helpfully suggested, as Brooke nodded in agreement.

Deb raised her eyebrows, and stated the obvious to Karen. "Leaving two kids alone in the house." Karen gave her a knowing look and then turned to the kids. "Nope, if Keith and I aren't there, you two aren't there, either."

Listening to the conversation, Haley approached them with a different idea. "Why doesn't Brooke come home with me?" she quietly suggested, as everyone turned to stare at her in shock. It was well known that Haley could barely tolerate Brooke and her ilk. Haley was a practical girl and despised women who lived to shop and giggle about boys.

"What? Brooke is dark headed. With all my sisters, nieces and sisters-in-laws running around no one will even notice she's visiting. They'll just assume she's new and go on with the holiday."

Brooke immediately hugged her new found friend and squealed, "It'll be just like a slumber party, Tutor Girl! We'll have so much fun doing each other's hair and gossiping," she said, as Haley winced at her words.

"Brooke, first rule, no squealing at my house. Just promise me that, and we'll get along great," she said, giving Lucas a dirty look. He was going to pay for this gesture, Haley thought. Why couldn't her best friend have found a less giggly girlfriend? As depressing as Peyton was, she at least could sit quietly in a corner and draw. Haley had a feeling that this was going to be a loud holiday event.

Brooke snuggled closer to Lucas and beamed at Haley. "No squealing, but we'll still gossip, right?" she asked, as Haley walked off with Nathan. Secretly, Brooke was touched that Haley would invite her to stay with her family. She knew she got on Haley's nerves, and it was sweet of her to extend herself in order to make Lucas happy.

Lucas followed Haley and Nathan out into the entryway. Leaning down, he hugged Haley and whispered, "Thanks, Hales. I owe you for that." Haley resisted the urge to tell Lucas just how much he owed her. She was distracted as Nathan pulled her into a bear hug.

"I don't want to leave you, Haley," he said, realizing that their time was nearly up. "Promise me that we'll do something tomorrow, after I get back home."

Haley kissed him, and nodded. "I promise. I am exclusively yours tomorrow night, unless I am in jail for killing Brooke," she joked, looking over at where Lucas and Brooke were talking. Nathan laughed at her joke, before turning to stare at his brother, as well.

Lucas gently held Brooke's hand. "Thank you for spending the day with us. And for helping me earlier with the Dan situation. I really value your advice and opinions," he added, noting the way her face lit up at his compliment. It was rare for guys to like Brooke for anything other than her ability in bed. She reached up and hugged him, inhaling the scent that she had come to identify with him. It was a strong, warm scent that made her feel…safe and secure.

Lucas watched her for a moment, before leaning down and gently kissing her red lips. Their first kiss had been a shy, short one, meant for public display. But he wanted their second kiss to be personal. Lucas wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her lips against his. He was pleased when she deepened the kiss. Brooke teased him for a moment, running her tongue against the crease of his lips and Luke reacted by pulling her tighter against him, craving the feel of her body next to his.

A discreet cough filtered through his hazed filed mind, causing Luke to pull back from Brooke. Haley pointed toward the living and said, "parents in there, coming toward us."

Brooke pulled back, not wanting to look like a slut in front of Karen, who was walking toward them with Deb.

Karen paused, taking in her son's ruby red lips. "I seriously hope you've been sucking face with Brooke and that you aren't a secret cross dresser," she joked, laughing as Luke instantly swiped at the red lipstick that clung to his lips.

Deb stood back and watched with sadness, as the kids get ready to leave. She was going miss having them around, even as she was beginning to crave some silence for her and husband. Cold air from the door assaulted her, causing her to shiver in the unseasonably cold temperatures. Looking over at Lucas, she noted with disdain that he was wearing a thin, short sleeve t-shirt.

"Karen, we have to do something about Lucas' clothes. He can't go outside in that shirt," she said. Luke looked down at his worn t-shirt and back up at his step-mother. "Um, you already did, Deb. You got me some new clothes, but thanks for caring about what I wear."

Deb shook her head at his words. "Not the shirt, Lucas. The cold. The doctor told us specifically to keep you warm and indoors. We need to find a coat for you." Lucas' jacket had been trashed at the hospital, due to the smoke and fire damage. His ever present hoodie was at home, leaving him with little to nothing to wear outside.

Karen followed Deb to the large closet in the entryway. She pulled out Nathan's letterman jacket, only to have him complain from the doorway. "That's mine, mom. Find him another one to wear." Haley cut off any more comments, by kissing him into silence. She guessed that sibling sharing would be the next lesson the boys would have to learn.

Sighing, Deb found one of Dan's down coats. "This will do the job," she said, sliding it over Luke's thin frame. Luke wrapped the ski jacket around him, illustrating that the jacket was big enough to fit Dan, thus swamping Luke's lanky frame. Despite his complaints, Karen zipped the jacket up as Deb wrapped a thick scarf around his neck.

"Oh, my turn, my turn," Brooke yelled, watching the dress up game her boyfriend was taking part in. She rooted through the closet until she found one of Nathan's polar fleece hats. She put it on Luke's head and pulled it down to his eyes. She sealed the deal with a kiss, making him groan in protest. "I can't move, guys," he complained out of the small part of his face that was visible.

Nathan walked by with Haley, and snickered. "You look like the Pillsbury Doughboy, dude. Like totally fluffy." Haley laughed at his assessment, and added "Or Kenny from South Park." Luke waddled around to face his mother, protesting being covered head to toe like a mummy.

Karen smiled at him and silenced his protest with the wave of her hand. "Doctor's orders, Luke. I distinctly heard several coughs coming from you tonight. I don't want to see this turn into pneumonia."

Luke waddled to the door, bitching at Nathan as he went. "I don't see anyone wrapping him in swaddling clothes." Deb smiled and draped the end of the long scarf around Luke's nonexistent neck. "Nathan is next, Lucas."

Dan helped Keith put the rest of the packages in the back of the Jeep and then leaned against the vehicle, appraising it. "You know, Keith. I could set you up in a new SUV, if you are interested."

Keith wrinkled his nose up at his younger brother. "Always the salesman, eh, Dan?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Dan paused a moment trying to find a way to talk to Keith, now that they were alone. "I just wanted you to have a safe vehicle to drive." Keith exhaled slowly, tension radiating from his large frame. "What, now that I am driving YOUR son around?"

"Keith, I had no idea that you and Karen were going to get married. It's not like this is a diabolical plan to ruin your life," Dan retorted, watching as the cold wind blew small snow flakes around the driveway.

Keith frowned at his brother's words. "I know you didn't plan it, Danny, but it's still inconvenient as hell. Now we all have to figure out a way to do what's best for Luke without giving him any indication of what's going on behind his back. It might be easy for you to do that since you're only going to see him once a week, but Karen and I will have to continue that day in and day out." He was trying to be calm, but Keith found it hard to not get upset when it came to Lucas. He'd spent the kid's entire life protecting him from Dan, and now he was supposed to just step aside? The idea of that was ridiculous.

"You really have no idea how highly Luke regards you, do you Keith?" Dan quietly stated. "You are his father in every sense of the word. And you don't even realize it, which is pretty sad."

Keith pushed away from the Jeep and turned to confront his brother. "Don't you dare tell me about Lucas, Dan. I know more about that boy than anyone outside of Karen. And I know that no matter how many times I was there for him, that you are still his biological father. If I could have broken that link, I would have done it years ago. But no matter how badly you treat him, he's still always held out hope that one day you'd care about him."

Dan let the words sink into his mind before replying. He didn't want to fight with Keith, but it seemed like everything they said to each other pushed the wrong buttons. "Let's face it, Keith. We've been fighting for years, long before Lucas was born. He was just another round of ammo to toss at each other."

Nodding, Keith realized Dan was right. "When was the last Christmas we spent together, Dan? Was it 14 years ago? Or even longer?" he asked, realizing that he and Dan had not been close since they were Luke and Nate's age. Not since basketball took over their family and warped their father's attention.

"It was the winter before Nathan was two. I remember you punched me and I feel into the tree, breaking all the ornaments," Dan said, smiling at the memory. Only in their family could past fistfights bring out smiles.

"Gez, Luke and Nathan are doomed. I don't think any of us are capable of not fighting," Keith added, remembering that Dan had provoked the fight by telling their mother not to send Lucas a gift for that or any other event. There had always been tension between his family and the Lucas issue, but Keith realized that Dan was right: They had been fighting for most of their lives.

Dan remained leaning against the side of the SUV. "So are you ever going to go back to mom and dads for the holidays? Mom really seems to miss you," he added, hating anything that upset May.

"I was planning on doing the annual "not going to visit" phone call. I am sure they aren't shocked by now. Besides, I want to spend the rest of the holiday with my family," he replied, emphasizing the possessive nature.

"I guess it is my fault for pressuring mom and dad into not seeing Lucas," he admitted, shocking Keith again. His brother seemed full of analytical statements lately. Keith looked at him and asked, "Who has the head injury, you or Luke?"

Laughing, Dan realized Keith was right. He was full of surprising statements the past few days. He tentatively looked up at Keith. "You do realize that they are going to want to meet Lucas now," Dan said. "They called yesterday and they know he's here."

"Karen will love that, given her love/hate relationship with Dad," Keith observed, not really sure if he ever understood that relationship. Karen hated some things about Roy, but found other sides of him endearing.

Dan raised his eyebrows at Keith. "Hell, the old man will be thrilled that one of us is finally marrying her. I think he always secretly liked Karen more than he liked either of us."

Keith laughed at that statement, knowing it was probably true. Their dad was a riddle to both of them. Of course the drinking didn't help clarify matters, he realized. Too many of Keith's memories were wrapped up in the Scott family alcoholism. He suddenly looked over at his brother. "When did life get so complicated? I mean, what is so hard about all of us getting along with each other?" he asked, sincerely confused about why things were so tense.

"I guess me wanting to spend time with Luke will help things. Or maybe complicate things," Dan stuttered, still not sure if this visitation would bring Lucas closure or more grief.

"I just don't want to look around in twenty years and realize that Nathan and Lucas are bitching about the same things we are," Keith admitted, staring down at the driveway. "I want them to be closer than us, so that they can be true brothers."

Dan quickly nodded in agreement. "I want them to both have a place in this world that they can share and yet have their own spot, as well. I don't want them to have to avoid major family holidays, in order to keep the peace."

Keith looked over at Dan suspiciously. "Did we just agree on something?"

Dan considered his brother's words for a moment. "Yeah, I think we did. Maybe there is hope for the kids after all."

Keith paused for a second and smiled. "Good, now that that's out of the way, how do you feel about telling mom and dad that I'm getting hitched?" Dan laughed at him before growing serious. "I don't think so. I'll leave that little job to you, older brother. Just think how happy mom will be," he said, before breaking out in laughter. "And think of how much fun the town gossips are going to have about this one."

They were interrupted by the sound of the front door opening. Dan stuck his hand out in a conciliatory gesture, which Keith slowly returned. They both watched in confusion as two bundles of clothes were guided to the two SUV's. Keith leaned closer for a better inspection before cracking up. "I think those are our kids," he said, watching as their mom's hustled them into their cars.

Dan slowly shook his head. "This has been one bizarre Christmas."

Deb ran over to the Jeep and hugged Karen good-bye. She stuck her head in the back of the jeep, where Lucas and Brooke were cuddled up. It was decided that the girls would ride with their respective boyfriends, and get dropped off together at Haley's house. Deb reached over Brooke and touched Luke's shoulder. "I'll miss you two. Thanks for spending the holiday with us."

Something approaching a real smile crossed Luke's face as he waved at Deb. "Thanks for taking care of me. I know we were loud and obnoxious, but thanks for having the girls over to make me feel better," he said, with great sincerity. Karen looked at Keith, awed by the impression that Deb had made on her son. He wasn't one to get overly close to people, let alone someone he had just met.

Deb smiled at him again. "Just remember to drop by sometime to see me. You should come over after practice and hang out with Nathan," she offered, leaving one last invitation before moving toward her own car.

Keith pulled out of the driveway, following Dan's SUV toward Haley's house. Karen looked back and noticed Lucas staring at their house with a strange look on his face.

Brooke reached out for his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "You got comfy here, didn't you? Like you belonged?" she asked, loud enough for his parents to hear. Luke slowly nodded in agreement; as a part of him was going to miss being around his father's other family. It was kind of nice having someone his age to hang out with, even if it was Nathan.

Luke smiled at her and replied, "I would have scoffed at that statement a few days ago, but now…I just feel like I am part of them, even if I am not totally comfortable yet." Brooke snuggled next to him, ending the conversation.

In the front seat, Karen looked at Keith in fear and concern, both having heard what Lucas said. She had a feeling that things were never going to be normal again.

I found out that one of my favorite fanfic authors is now a published authored. I'm not shocked as she is an amazing writer. It just reminds of what great writers there are out there in this world and that everyone starts some where. I've never aspired to be a writer (actually, I'd say you can pick out the fact that I write very long, very tedious papers with a lot of details for graduate school)...but thrilled for this woman.

Thanks for taking the time to read and write. It's a very different story from Purg. Most people never want Karen dead in this one. I'd like to think it's a bit more healing than the other things I write.