Chapter Twenty Five

Cafe Surprises

Lucas slowly opened his eyes trying, to adjust to the morning light now seeping through the window. He looked around the room. It was definitely a girls room. Every time he found himself in her room he always found himself interested. There were of course cheerleading trophies on the dresser. There was a dollhouse which was an exact replica of her house. That was what he always found himself looking at, even the insides were the same, right down to the details of the rooms. Someone must have spent a great deal of time and money to get the house made. He continued to look around the room at all the pictures that were placed on every surface. You could definitely tell she loved to take pictures, but you could also tell what was most important to her by what were in the pictures. There were pictures of her, Nathan, and Peyton everywhere. They all looked like they were taken when the three were having fun. He always looked, but never found any of her parents, which was kinda sad. He remembered the conversation they had when he first moved here about their parents or lack of parents to be exact. He assumed she and everyone else had the perfect parents, but he was wrong. He'd felt bad when she told him all she did, but at the same time he felt good that she was open to sharing all that with him. That day he knew there was something special about Brooke.

Lucas let out a soft yawn before turning to the still sleeping brunette lying next to him. He just looked at her, replaying all of last nights events in his head. Everything about last night had been great. The fact that they had slept together wasn't the part that made the night great, just being with her had done that. He couldn't imagine feeling as good as he had with anyone else. When he first moved here he'd talked to a few girl, but it never amounted to anything. He never felt the way he did when he talked to Brooke. Even from the beginning he felt a connection to her. It was weird, but it was still there. Now he couldn't lie and say sleeping with Brooke wasn't great because it was, more so because of the connection, but last night wasn't about sex. It was about making a great girl feel special. He hoped with everything that he succeeded with that.

Lucas just watched as Brooke lied there motionless. Her face void of expression. He watched as she inhaled and exhaled. His hand slowly made its way to her face, where he cupped her cheek and began to caress it with his thumb. He watched as a soft smile crept to her face as she leaned into his touch.

Brooke had slightly awoken when the Lucas moved and the bed shifted. She lied there as he cupped her cheek. She smiled when he began to caress her face. She leaned into his touch as she opened her eyes.

"Good morning Pretty Girl."he smiled.

Her smile widened at his words."Good morning to you too Broody, although you don't look every broody this morning."

"How could I be when I'm waking up next to you?"

Brooke blushed slightly.He was being sweet and she never had sweet morning afters before so this was a welcomed change."You know I could get used to this. Pretty soon all theses compliments are gonna start going to my head. When I become unbearable to be around, it's gonna be your fault."

"I'll take full responsibility."

"Good."she said as she moved to rest her head on his chest, pulling the covers over her still bare body.

Lucas wrapped his arm around her waist securely. He kissed the top of her head before speaking."So did you sleep well?"

Brooke looked up and nodded."Yeah, after everything."she paused to wriggle her eyebrows."I was exhausted. It felt good to fall asleep in your arms."

Lucas tightened his grip on her."It felt good to have you in my arms."

"Yeah, last night was amazing. I had a really good time with you Lucas. Thank you."

"Hey, I already told you there's no need to thank me. I wanted everything just as much as you did."

"I know."she tapped her fingers on Lucas' chest."So do you think that Tutor Girl and Jake did it last night?"she asked with a smirk.

Lucas laughed. Of course Brooke would still be thinking about that. He shook his head."I don't know Brooke. I'm more interested in the fact that we did."

"We did, didn't we?"she smiled.

"Yeah, we did. I hope you haven't forgotten already."he laughed.

Brooke shook her head."Nope, never. You were too amazing to forget."she watched as a big knowing smile crossed his face."Wait, don't get too cocky. My judgment might have been impaired due to the alcohol."she joked.

"You were not drunk Brooke."

"Yeah, well, I just don't want you getting a big head. After that look on your face maybe I should be the one not giving you compliments."

Lucas was quiet for a second."You know, I think you're right. Your judgment might have been impaired last night."

"What?"asked Brooke now a little confused.

"Well, I just mean maybe you need a second run through. That way when you say I'm the best you've ever had, I'll know it's for sure."

Brooke propped herself up on his chest."Hey, I never said that."she smiled at his obvious attempt to show her his cockiness.

"No, not yet, but you will."

"You seem sure of yourself."

"I am."he simply stated.

"Oh yeah? Why don't you put your money where your mouth is?"

"Na, I rather put my mouth where your mouth is."he leaned forward and captured her lips in a kiss.

Brooke slowly pulled away and pretended to think before saying."You're good, but I've had better."she smiled.

Lucas playfully glared at her."Oh, yeah?"he asked as he got up and quickly flipped them over so he was lying over her.

"Yeah."said Brooke through laughs before kissing him again.

Hearing Brooke laugh only spurred him on. He lowered his hands and began to tickle her.

Brooke continued to laugh as she tried unsuccessfully to swat his hands away from her stomach."Lucas...stop...This isn't...funny."she said through her laughter.

Lucas ignored her and continued to tickle her. He loved seeing her like this. He finally decided she had enough and stopped. He watched as she tried to catch her breath. Once she had she playfully hit him."Ow. What was that for?"

"You know exactly what that was for. I told you to stop and you didn't. That wasn't very nice."

Lucas smiled at her."Sorry. I couldn't help it. I love hearing you laugh."he watched as she rolled her eyes from her position still under him.

"If you want to hear me laugh then tell me a joke or something. Don't tickle me."

"Okay. I'm sorry. Let me make it up to you."

"How?"

Lucas thought for a second."Lets get dressed and I'll buy you breakfast."

Brooke shook her head."I'm not really interested in breakfast. I don't feel like getting out of bed."

"Me either. Okay, well then how about we go take a bath together and I'll wash your back for you?"

Brooke smiled."Once again that would require us getting out of bed."Lucas nodded."But I'd be willing to get up for that. It beats going to get breakfast any day, although after our bath, you will cook for me, understood?"

Lucas nodded with an eye roll too.

Brooke smiled as she slowly pushed him off of her and got out of bed, not bothering to cover her naked body. She turned to him and held out her hand."Come on lover boy, it's time to get wet."

Lucas laughed and took her hand as he too got out of bed. He rested a hand on her bare waist and let her lead him into the restroom, closing the door behind him.

Dan walked into the cafe and took the seat that was slowly becoming his regular at the counter.

Karen came out of the back when she heard the bell. She smiled when she saw it was Dan."You're up early."she said as she approached him.

"Yeah. I needed to see you."

Karen smiled, not really sure what he meant by that."Okay, well I'm right here."she laughed nervously.

Dan laughed inwardly at her nervous tone."Well the thing is...I lost my nerve on going to see Nathan. I don't think I can do it."

"Don't say that Dan."

"I just don't want to see him slam the door in my face. I know that's what's going to happen and then I'm to get upset and I'll end up doing something ten times worse."

"Don't think like that Dan. You need to find a way to stop yourself from getting so angry. You need to see that from Nathan's point of view he has every right to be mad. He's exactly that, mad, and he's going to take that anger out on you. If you keep your cool then everything will be okay. When you go over to see him expect to get the door slammed in your face, that way it won't be a surprise when he does and you won't get upset by it."

"I'll still be upset Karen."

"Well Dan that is most likely what is going to happen so you're just gonna have to suck up all that anger for your sons sake. If you ever want to be a family again you better not blow up at him and say things you will never be able to take back."

"That's exactly what I don't want. I wish you could be there with me, to stop me when I'm getting out of line."

Karen smiled."It's nice to hear that, but it would be a little weird if I went with you. Nathan is bound to ask you why a stranger is there."

"I know. I just hope I can do this."

Karen placed her hand over his."You can."

Dan smiled and nodded at her. He removed one of his hands from her grasp and cupped Karen's cheek, while grasping her hands tighter with his other. You can. Those words meant a lot to him. It showed even after everything she still had faith in him.

Karen closed her eyes at his touch. This was dangerous, she knew that, but knowing that anyone could walk in didn't stop this from making her feel as if the past eighteen years hadn't happened. Dan was here making her feel the way he had all those years ago. He was always able to do that by just a single touch.

The bell above the door rang and Dan quickly remove his hand from Karen's face, but not from their clasped hands. They both turned to see who it was.

Nathan walked through the cafe doors with Peyton on his arm. His eyes quickly found his father sitting at the counter. He could have sworn he saw them pull away from something , but he wasn't sure. He was sure of the fact that they were holding hands though.

Peyton also saw what Nathan saw, but she actually had been looking through the door before they entered and saw what looked like an intimate moment between Nathan's father and Lucas' mom. She wanted to turn around and go somewhere else, but there was nothing she could do, Nathan was already opening the cafe doors. She saw them quickly move away and she was sure Nathan hadn't seen what she did, but what surprised her was that Dan hadn't removed his hand from Karen's.

Karen quickly pulled away completely from Dan, not wanting to cause any suspicion from the two teens, in turn causing even more suspicion by the sudden jerk from Dan.

Nathan watched the two for a second before turning to leave the cafe.

"Nathan wait."shouted Dan.

Nathan paused his movements at his fathers words, but just as quickly as he had stopped he started again toward the door.

Peyton pulled on Nathan's arm, stopping him from going any further. He looked at her surprised."Maybe you should hear what your dad has to say."

Nathan looked at her."Sorry. I have no desire what so ever to stay and hear what Dan has to say."

Dan quickly got up and made his way to his son."I am your father Nathan. Do not ever call me Dan again. Do you hear me?"he shouted demanding his son show him some respect.

"Dan."said Karen calmly. He turned to her."I'm not sure what's going on, but this is my cafe and you need to calm down."she said hoping he would see she was doing what he asked of her.

Dan immediately understood what she was doing and nodded."Yes. I'm sorry Karen."

Nathan looked at his father in amazement. Did he just apologize for something?

Dan turned back to Nathan."I'm sorry son. I shouldn't have yelled at you. You are understandably upset with me and I..."

"Understandably upset?"cut in Nathan."I am more than understandably upset. I pretty much hate you Dan."

"Don't say that."said Karen walking up to the two as customers began to stare.

Nathan quickly turned to her."What?"

Karen cleared her throat and spoke again."Look I know this is none of my business, but no matter how you feel, Dan is your father. You shouldn't talk to him that way, no matter the circumstances."

"I don't know who you think you are lady, but you're right about one thing. This isn't any of your business, so stay out of it."he yelled.

"I'll tell you who I am."said Karen now a little frustrated."I'm the woman that is about to kick both you and your fathers behinds out of here if you two don't stop causing a scene."with an apology from Dan she nodded and walked away.

Dan turned back to Nathan."Look son, I'm sorry okay. I know you hate me, but I am truly sorry."

"Sorry for what?"asked Nathan looking forward to hearing what Dan was going to say.

"For everything. I know I have been a lousy father and I know I push you too hard and most of all, I know I hurt you by not letting you say goodbye to your mother. I want you to know that I don't regret doing what I did, your mother really needed this, but I do regret the way I did it. Now I know I can't take it back, but I'm here trying to fix this. As soon as I get the okay from her doctors I will take you to see her myself. I will never again make a decision this important without talking to you first. You have my word Nathan."

Nathan just looked at Dan. He wasn't sure what was going on, but this wasn't normal Dan Scott behavior. Dan had never been this nice or understanding unless he had an agenda. There had to be a reason he was acting like this. His father had never cared about what he thought about him. So what had changed? What was going on now to make Dan do a complete 180? Nathan glanced over Dan's shoulder and saw Karen watching the two, hands clasped together, a look of worry and hope mixed together etched on her face. Was that it? Was Dan trying to impress Lucas' mom? What was going on with the two of them? Nathan quickly turned back to Dan more angry than before. There was no way he was going to help Dan look good in front of this woman."You know you can take your sorry excuse for an apology along with that pathetic attempt to be a better father speech with you and go straight to hell. I don't buy this kind act for a second. I will go and see my mother by myself. I don't need your help or your permission for anything anymore."with that he turned and walked out of the cafe, leaving Peyton.

Peyton looked at Karen."I'm sorry about this."

Karen nodded."It's okay. Go get him and make sure he's okay."

"I will, but again I'm sorry. He doesn't normally act like this."

Karen smiled at the girl as she turned to leave the cafe.

"Do you see why I said I needed your help? Nathan is out of control. I knew this was what was going to happen."

"Calm down Dan. You have to remember that this was only the first time you tried talking to him after everything happened. It's like you said, it was bound to get ugly. Hopefully the next time will turn out better. I feel as if I'm the reason he got so upset and for that I apologize."

"You? Why would you think that?"

"Because we were being friendly as he walked in. I was just trying to comfort you and Nathan might have taken it the wrong way. I also shouldn't have butted in the way I did."

"No, that was okay. I needed to be brought down. You helped me control my anger."

"Still, Nathan is a fragile boy. Maybe you should give him some time to cool down before attempting to talk to him again. Show him you're not going anywhere no matter how much he tries to push you away with his hurtful words."

Dan nodded."I will. I want to be a better father to him and Lucas. I just hope he gives me that chance."

"Me too. I want for our boys to get along with each other and with you. They are brothers after all."

Peyton chased after Nathan."Nathan."she called. He was walking fast and she practically had to run to try and keep up with him."Nathan."she called again. He didn't turn around, just kept walking as if he didn't hear her."God damn it Nathan, stop."that was it. She was fed up with him ignoring her. She stopped running after him and stood still.

Nathan finally turned to her. He was still very much angry with his father."What Peyton? What the hell do you want?"he yelled not really sure why.

Peyton looked at him stunned. She didn't know what his problem with her was. She slowly made her way to him."Look you jackass, I know your angry and I'll even go as far as saying I understand, but I didn't do a damn thing to you for you to be treating me this way. I don't care who your angry with. It is not okay for you to talk to me that way and you won't."she started to back away."Call me when you get your head out of your ass."she turned and walked back in the direction of the cafe. He was acting like a jerk and she didn't feel the least bit sorry for telling him so.

Nathan closed his eyes and shook his head before going after her. He was an idiot."Peyton, wait up."she didn't turn to him. It was her turn to ignore him."Come on Peyton. I'm sorry."still she said nothing and continued to walk away."I shouldn't have yelled at you. It won't happen again. Now will you please stop and talk to me?"

Peyton stopped."Nathan, you really act like a jerk sometimes and I don't like it."

"I know and I'm sorry. I'm just so mad right now, but you're right. I shouldn't take it out on you. You don't deserve that. I don't know what I would be doing right now if I didn't have you."he said as he pulled her to him."Besides, who else is going to put me in my place, if not you?"

"Yeah, I don't think there is a person other than Brooke and myself that would be willing to put up with you."she laughed.

"You're probably right and that's why I love you both the most."

"We love you too, especially me. You just make it hard sometimes because half the time I want to strangle you."

"I'm sorry about that."

"I know you are and I love you Nathan, no matter what."she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and brought him down for a kiss."So where are we going now?"she asked we they broke the kiss."I'm starving."

"Anywhere I don't have to see my father groping a stranger."he said shaking his head.

Peyton rolled her eyes."They weren't groping each other. It looked more like comforting to me."

"Whatever. He was holding her hands and I'm sorry, but that isn't right. It's like he's already forgotten he's married to my mom and she's only been gone three weeks."

"I'm sorry Nathan, but I don't think you're seeing this as it really is. You're seeing this as something bad and wrong because you're mad at your dad, but what it looked like to me was Karen trying to console Dan, probably because of what's going on with you."

"I don't care Peyton. It's all just too weird. I mean did you see the way he was acting in there? All nice and apologizing? That's not Dan. It was all an act. I just haven't figured out why he's doing this. There is no way in hell I'll ever believe he was being sincere."

"Nobody says you have to, but baby, please don't shut me out. Don't take your anger with your dad out on me. I'm on your side."

"I know and I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

"Good."she gave him a quick kiss before smiling."Because I'm starving. Can you please take me somewhere and feed me?"she said dramatically.

Nathan laughed as he grabbed her hand and pulled her to the car."Come on, lets go."

Jake took Haley's hand in his as he walked her to her door. They just stood there not knowing what was supposed to come next. This couple thing was new to them. Sure they had been in relationships with other people, but this was different.

Haley looked up, hands still in Jake's and smiled before looking back down.

Jake laughed. This was hilarious. They'd known each other for years. They had never been uncomfortable around each other before."Okay, why does this feel so weird?"he asked.

Haley looked at him and shrugged."I don't know, but it does, doesn't it? I wish it would go away."

"Me too. I think we need to just act normal. We are still the same people we were before. We just get to kiss now."he smiled causing Haley to laugh."So are you with me? Are we gonna act normal?"

Haley nodded."I'm with you. I'm gonna stop acting like this stupid shy girl who is going out with this new guy that she likes. Your just the same old dorky Jake you've always been."

"Hey."said Jake as if he was offended.

"Oh come on. You know what I mean."

Jake leaned in and gave her a quick kiss."Yeah, I do."

"I like this part of our new relationship, the kissing part."said Haley as she once again pulled him into a kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Jake broke the kiss after a while needing to breath."I like that part too. You're pretty good at it."

Haley smiled."So are you."

Jake rolled his eyes."Well I gotta go, but I'll call you later so we can see each other. I don't think I can go very long without seeing you."

Haley smiled at his sweet words."Sounds great. I love you Jake."

"I love you too Hales."after another earth shattering kiss he was gone, leaving a very giddy Haley watching after him.