sorry for the delay! (see a/n at bottom if you care for my reason! :C sorry guys!)
-thanks soo much for yalls reviews!! you know i love everyone of you for them!! w/ that said,
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and everyone else who read! i hope everyone continues to enjoy it!!
xoxo
-manda
BRUCAS
"Mommy, what time is it?" Maggie asked in a quiet voice.
Brooke looked over at her daughter from the couch where she was curled up laying against Lucas. "Um," she said and glanced at the clock. "Six thirty,"
"Is that bedtime?" Maggie asked sounding pitiful.
"Well, babe, it's kinda early, but if you want - -" Brooke started, but stopped when Maggie walked closer to her and Lucas giving both of them a hug and kiss then walked off to her bedroom.
Brooke looked at Lucas, "What was that?" she asked.
Lucas shrugged, "I guess school is just taking its toll on her,"
"Luke," Brooke laughed and hit him playfully.
"What?" Lucas laughed back.
Brooke shook her head and laid back against him.
NALEY
"Nathan," Haley asked over the phone.
"Yeah?"
"Do you think you can take Care to school tomorrow?"
"Yeah, no that's not a problem. Why?" He asked.
"The high school called, they need a sub again tomorrow," Haley shrugged.
"Oh, okay, what time do you have to be there?"
"Seven, but Care doesn't have to be at her school until eight…"
Nathan nodded, "Yeah, no problem Haley,"
"Thank you so much," Haley said truly thankful to her husband.
"Haley, that's what I'm here for…"
Haley nodded, "I know," she said honestly.
"She's still mad isn't she?" Nathan asked.
"I don't think she's mad… I think she's… yeah, she's still kinda mad at me… or embarrassed… I don't know really,"
Nathan sighed, he hated that.
"Alright, well… I'm going to bed, will you wake me up in the morning?" Haley asked.
"Six thirty," Nathan replied.
"Thanks Nate,"
"No problem,"
"Alright, goodnight?" Haley asked not knowing what time Nathan would be home.
"I'll be home around nine, but I won't wake you up if you're asleep, so goodnight, I love you,"
Haley smiled "I love you too Nathan,"
Nathan hung up the phone with a smile on his face. She loved him too.
Haley paced around the living room waiting impatiently for Nathan to get back, he left early this morning leaving a note saying he'd be right back. "Come on Nate, you know I like to leave early," she said clearly nervous.
Just then Haley heard the key in the door.
Haley unlocked the door for Nathan letting him in quicker.
"Hey," he greeted in a whisper. "I got you this," he said handing her a Starbucks.
Haley's eyes grew. "Thank you so much!" she said standing on her tip-toes to give him a quick peck on the cheek. "Um, Care usually takes about - -"
"Thirty minutes to get ready, yeah, I know," Nathan smiled.
Haley exhaled heavily, "Okay, well…"
"Good luck,"
Haley smiled a little nervous. "I have a break at like nine thirty and then lunch at eleven fifteen, then just one class in the afternoon,"
"Call me if you want to, or if you need anything,"
"Thanks," Haley smiled.
"You'd better go," Nathan laughed looking at the clock.
"Okay," Haley said excited and Nathan wrapped his arms around her still tiny frame and they hugged.
For both of them time stopped, 'God I've missed this,' Haley thought, while Nathan was thinking the exact same thing.
Haley exhaled shakily. "I've gotta go," she nodded.
"You'll be fine Hales," Nathan promised as Haley reached the door.
"Thanks," She said and walked out, shutting the door behind her.
BRUCAS
Brooke pulled her hair up in a loose ponytail and walked into Maggie's room. She smiled looking at her daughter who was laying face down into her pillow, her kangaroo held tightly in her arm, a slight snore escaping from her mouth. Brooke sat down on Maggie's bed and rubbed her back. "Hey Maggs," she whispered.
"Mmm," Maggie groaned.
"Hey sweetie, it's time for school, come on, you've got to get up. Mommy has to be back home in time to take her test,"
Maggie rolled over and looked up at Brooke pitifully. "Hi mommy…" she whispered.
"Did you sleep well?"
Maggie blinked rapidly, her eyes adjusting to the light.
"You go brush your teeth and I'll get your clothes ready?"
Maggie nodded and got out of bed.
Brooke looked at Maggie slightly confused as she walked to the bathroom, 'This is never this easy,' she thought. Brooke walked to Maggie's closet and grabbed a pair of jeans and a shirt along with a jacket for the four year old to wear.
After about ten minutes of absolutely no arguing to get ready, Brooke had Maggie in the car.
"You sure you don't want breakfast?"
"I have a banana," Maggie said holding up her banana.
Brooke smiled and kissed Maggie's forehead and got into the car.
NALEY
Nathan sat on the couch until about seven fifteen, letting Caroline sleep in a little bit. He walked quietly into her room and smiled when he saw her sleeping peacefully. He gently brushed some hair out of his daughter's face, tucking it behind her ears. "Hey Care," he whispered as she opened her eyes.
"Daddy," she smiled.
"You ready to get up?"
"Are you taking me to school…?"
Nathan nodded. "Is that okay?"
Caroline got out of bed and walked to the bathroom, "It's fine," she hollered back to her dad.
"Do you need me to do anything?" Nathan asked.
"Did mommy make my lunch for me for today yet?" Caroline asked pulling her toothbrush out of her mouth.
Nathan stood in the doorway to the bathroom and nodded.
"Did shhl mamme Mannie's oo?" Caroline asked with her purple toothbrush in the back of her mouth.
"What?" Nathan laughed.
Caroline finished brushing her teeth and sat the toothbrush down turning around to her dad, "I said, did she make Maggie's lunch for her today too because Aunt Brooke doesn't do it, because mommy does?"
"Oh," Nathan said understanding now. "I don't know…"
Caroline stared into the mirror and braided her hair into two pigtails. "I'll look when I'm finished,"
Nathan looked at his mature almost five year old in amazement, 'God it feels like I haven't seen her in so long'
"Done!" Caroline exclaimed. She jumped off her stool and turned to Nathan, "How do they look daddy?" she asked with a big smile.
"Perfect," Nathan nodded.
Caroline giggled and went back to her room to change.
"Caroline! You almost ready?!" Nathan yelled from his and Haley's bathroom.
"Yes daddy!" Caroline yelled back from the kitchen.
"Alright, you got your lunch?"
"Mu-huh, and Maggie's too," Caroline said putting her backpack on holding an extra lunch bag as she and Nathan walked to the SUV parked in the driveway.
"Hey dad…" Caroline said as they pulled into the school.
"Yeah?" Nathan asked looking back at Caroline via his mirror.
"I've missed you…" she said honestly.
Nathan turned around and looked at Caroline once he parked. "I've missed you too bug," he said then got out to help Caroline out of the vehicle. He opened her door and was immediately greeted by Caroline in his arms.
"Daddy…?"
"Yeah sweetie?"
"Do you think mommy's mad at me?" She asked almost in tears.
Nathan turned around looking at his daughter. "No baby, she's not, I promise," he assured her.
Caroline nodded. "I love you daddy!" She said the tears in her eyes threatening to spill over she meant it so much.
Nathan's heart melted, but in a good way. "I love you too little girl, I love you too!" he said hugging his daughter tightly. "Now let's get to class,"
"Don't want to be late!" Caroline said sounding so much like Haley Nathan couldn't help but laugh.
BRUCAS
Brooke was sitting at the kitchen bar her laptop open staring intently at the screen. She nervously tapped her pen against the counter in a fast paced rhythm as she tried to remember what she had studied. She jumped practically out of her skin when her phone started ringing. "Hello?" she said taking her glasses off and setting them on the counter.
"Mrs. Scott?"
Brooke made a confused looking face, "Yeah…"
"Um, your daughter says she isn't feeling well, and she's looking a little pale. We just wanted call you," an authoritative voice that Brooke quickly recognized as someone from Maggie's school.
"Do I come get her?" Brooke asked. Maggie hadn't been at school for very long and Brooke was still relatively new at it.
"Um, yeah, I would probably say that would be the best thing,"
Brooke glanced at her computer, "Um… okay, yeah, no I'll be there in like twenty minutes," she said knowing how long it takes to get to Maggie's school.
"Thank you Mrs. Scott, she'll be in the front nurses room, you can pick her up in there when you get here."
"Alright, thank you," Brooke said and hung up. She closed her laptop leaving her test unfinished and got into her SUV. She drove straight to Maggie's school trying to hurry feeling bad for her little girl. "Hi, I'm Brooke Scott… my daughter's sick…" Brooke said to the woman behind the desk in the main office.
"Oh, yes, Maggie?"
Brooke nodded, "Yeah…"
"Down that hallway, first door on the right,"
Brooke smiled politely, "Thank you," she said and followed the woman's instructions to find her daughter.
"Mommy!" Maggie said seeing her mother walk through the door.
"Hi baby," Brooke said scooping the little girl in her arms.
Maggie squirmed out of her mother's arms. "Mommy, you can't hold me," she said remembering what her dad asked her to do.
"Okay," Brooke laughed, "How you feeling?"
Maggie shook her head, "My belly hurts,"
"I'm sorry," Brooke frowned. "Where's your jacket?"
"My class," Maggie said.
"Okay, you wait here, I'll go get it," Brooke said and made her way to Maggie's classroom.
"Aunt Brooke!" Caroline yelled seeing Brooke at the door.
Brooke smiled, "Hi honey," she said.
"You taking Maggie home?"
Brooke nodded, "Yeah,"
"Yeah, her was sick, and she said she was gonna throw up but I watched out for her because I love her,"
Brooke smiled, "Thanks baby girl," she said rubbing the side of Caroline's face.
Caroline smiled.
"You taking me too to the house?" Caroline asked.
"Um… do you want me to?" Brooke asked not seeing a problem in having Caroline.
Caroline shook her head, "No, I like school! I like to learn and have friends and be smart!"
Brooke laughed, "You are so your mother's child,"
Caroline nodded.
"Do you know where Magg's coat is?"
"Hold on," Caroline said and ran over to the cubbies. "Here," she smiled handing Brooke the coat.
"Thanks baby," Brooke said and kissed the top of Caroline's head. "I love you,"
"I love you too!" Caroline said excited and ran off.
"Okay, you ready?" Brooke asked Maggie when she got back to the sick room.
Maggie nodded and grabbed Brooke's hand as they walked to the car.
NALEY
"Hello?" Nathan said picking up his cell phone.
"Hi," Haley breathed.
"Hey baby, how's your day been?"
"Good so far, how bout you?"
"Good so far," Nathan smiled.
"How was Care this morning,"
"She was fine… she thinks you're mad at her though," Nathan said honestly.
Haley bit her bottom lip. "Did I screw up, Nate?" she asked confused.
"I don't know Hales, I don't think so…" he shrugged.
Haley nodded, "I gotta go, but I'll talk to you tonight when I get home?"
"Yeah, I love you babe,"
"I love you too," Haley said with a smile.
BRUCAS
Brooke looked back at Maggie via the rear view mirror, she was close to asleep, her face seeming pale. Brooke frowned feeling bad for her daughter. "Umm…" Brooke said as the black SUV started making strange noises. She glanced back at Maggie.
"What was that mommy?" Maggie whispered.
Brooke smiled "Nothing baby," she lied.
Maggie nodded and closed her eyes.
Just then the car made an even louder more strange noise and Brooke pulled to the side of the road as the car started to slow. Brooke looked out the window and her heart sped up, she hated this bridge! She put her flashers on and unbuckled her seatbelt. She looked back at Maggie, "Maggs," she said.
"Why'd we stop?" Maggie asked looking out the window.
"Um… I don't know baby," Brooke said and tried to start the car, but failed. She grabbed her cell phone and touched the screen to turn it on, but of course it was dead. "Shit," she cursed in a whisper.
"Mommy…" Maggie said a bit scared.
Brooke looked down the road and sighed, "Come on Maggs, we're getting out…" She said and opened her door stepping out. She walked to Maggie's door and opened it as well, "Sorry…" she frowned feeling bad for her daughter as she un-did her from her car seat.
Maggie grabbed Brooke's hand and got out of the SUV.
Brooke was kind of happy it wasn't the middle of the day where there was a lot of traffic as the two walked to the front of the car.
"Mommy," Maggie said in tears.
Brooke looked down at the little girl who had halted their movement, "You okay?"
Maggie shook her head and bent over and started to vomit.
"Oh-k, um…" Brooke stuttered, Maggie catching her off guard. She rubbed her daughter's back as she continued to throw up everything she had eaten that day and probably the day before that too. "Oh baby," she tried to soothe the shaking girl.
"Mommy," Maggie cried.
Brooke didn't know what to do, Maggie was sick, the car broke, her phone was dead, and NO ONE was out on the road.
When Maggie was finished throwing up, she looked up at her mom pitifully.
"Oh Maggs, come here," Brooke said picking her four year old up.
Maggie laid her head on Brooke's shoulder still sniffling slightly. "What are we doing?" she whimpered.
"We're walking…" Brooke said as she made her way further and further away from the SUV.
Maggie clung to her mother and watched the river beneath them as they walked alongside the road.
Brooke turned around when she heard a police car's sirens. The car drove slowly next to Brooke and Maggie. "Ma'am can I give you a ride?" the officer asked politely.
Brooke looked down at Maggie then back at her car. "Would you mind?" she asked.
"Of course not," he said and pulled the car over. The man got out of the car and opened the back door for the young mother.
"Thank you," Brooke said as she sat down, Maggie in her arms.
"Mommy…" Maggie whispered, scared of her current surroundings.
Brooke buckled her daughter into the seat, her arm wrapped tightly around the young girl, trying still to comfort her. "Yeah baby girl?"
"I don't wanna go to jail," the younger brunette whimpered.
The police officer started up his car and glanced in the rear-view mirror.
"Baby, we're not," Brooke assured Maggie.
"Where do I need to take you two miss?"
"Um… Tree Hill High School…?"
"Not a problem," the officer replied and headed to the school.
Maggie laid her head on Brooke's lap, "Mommy, I don't feel good," she said pitifully.
"I know honey," Brooke whispered rubbing Maggie's back. "We'll be there in a minute."
NALEY
Haley looked at the photo of Caroline she kept with her, tears forming in her eyes as her heart broke thinking her daughter thought she was mad at her when she couldn't be further from it.
I
"Mommy, when we are done with dinner –after we eat-- can me and daddy and you, can we watch a movie?" Caroline asked looking up at her mom from the dinner table.
"Maybe," Haley said with a small smile.
"Well, I think we should because I love movies, they are my favorite!"
Haley looked at Nathan then back to her daughter. "Care…"
"Hmm?" Caroline asked twirling her fork around in her spaghetti.
"I talked to your teacher today,"
"Oh yeah? She's nice, except for sometimes she's mean to me or to Maggie, but I don't know why because we're good kids," Caroline shrugged.
"Yeah… Care… she said you've not been sharing in class, and you've been interrupting and - -"
"No I don't!" Caroline cut her mother off. "I don't do that mommy! Mommy, I listen to her," she defended herself.
"Baby, you just did," Nathan told her.
Caroline shook her head, "No I didn't,"
"It's okay, you're not in trouble sweetie, she just asked us to talk to you about it,"
"But I didn't - -" Caroline said but stopped to take a bite of her dinner. "Mommy, I don't do that in class," she said shaking her head. "I'm good. I like school."
END I
Haley sighed and ran her hands thru her hair.
I
"She said that Care talks really fast to the point where they don't know what she's saying sometimes. She cuts people off, won't share, repeats herself…She said it's like Caroline has something to say, but getting it from her head to the words, it's like there's a link missing and everything just gets jumbled up or something," Haley explained to Nathan while she stirred the spaghetti noodles.
Nathan shrugged, "Is she sure Care's not just a four year old kid?"
"I don't know. I mean, I hate to say it, but who'd of thought Care would be the disruptive one in a class with Maggie?"
Nathan laughed, "Maybe Maggs needed the structure,"
Haley shrugged and looked into the living room at Caroline who was coloring and watching TV. "I'm kinda worried… I mean, I pointed it out to you a while ago… it hasn't gone away since then…"
Nathan wrapped his arm around Haley and kissed the top of her head, "She's okay, stop worrying," he told her rubbing his hand over her flat stomach.
Haley nodded, "Yeah," she said continuing to cook dinner.
END I
BRUCAS
"Thank you so much," Brooke said as the young officer shut the car door after she and Maggie got out.
"Not a problem. You know not to take rides from just anybody though, miss?"
Brooke smiled politely, "Yes,"
"Alright, get that car fixed," he said as he got back into the driver's seat then drove off.
Brooke held Maggie in her arms as she walked to the main office of the high school.
"Can I help you?" the older woman said as Brooke entered the room.
"Yeah, we need visitor passes,"
"Name," she said simply out of instinct.
"Brooke and Maggie Scott," Brooke replied with a smile switching Maggie to her other hip.
The woman filled out the nametags and handed them both to Brooke, "Thank you Mrs. Scott, you're husband is in the gym for the rest of the period,"
Brooke smiled again, "Thank you," she said as she placed the stickers on her and Maggie's clothes then headed to the gym.
"Alright little girl, let's go," Brooke said as she walked through the gym doors.
Whistles and shoes squeaking rang through the gym along with Lucas' strong voice insisting the boys could run faster, the cheerleaders could run faster.
"Daddy!" Maggie yelled when she finally saw her dad.
Lucas turned towards the young voice, it catching him off guard. "Um, hi," he said walking over to his wife and daughter. "What are you two doing here?" he asked confused as he walked closer to Brooke and Maggie.
"I'm sick," Maggie said with a sad look on her face.
"Hi," Lucas repeated as the three reached each other, placing a kiss on Brooke's forehead. "You shouldn't be carrying her," he said taking the four year old from her mother's arms.
Maggie clung to her dad immediately, laying her head down on his shoulder.
"Maggie got sick at school, they called me to come get her," Brooke said as they walked back over to the team.
"Yeah?" Lucas asked Maggie rubbing her back.
Maggie nodded.
"And, my car broke down on the river bridge…"
"What?!" Lucas practically yelled. "How did you get here?"
Brooke sat down on the bleachers. "A cop," she told her husband. "He pulled over and I had him bring us here…"
Lucas nodded, "Okay…" he said and glanced down at Maggie then covered her exposed ear with his hand. "Free throws, three in a row boys, you miss, you run!" he yelled.
Brooke watched as the boys did exactly what Lucas said, the first three or four boys going through their shots without missing. "They're good, Luke," Brooke commented rubbing her stomach.
"Yeah, they're - -" Lucas started as he turned around to his wife, "You okay?" he asked concerned, his eyes immediately going to her hand on her stomach.
Brooke followed his ice blue eyes to her hand, "Oh, yeah, no I'm fine… you're son is just moving a lot," she said placing her other hand on her stomach.
"Really?" Lucas asked in awe.
Brooke nodded, "Yeah, I guess someone's not very comfy…" she said with a frown.
"Aww, I doubt that," Lucas said rubbing Brooke's belly, Maggie still on his hip practically asleep. "Hey, you should go see Haley,"
"Luke, honey, I know you're blonde, but… baby, my car, is on the river bridge…"
Lucas shook his head, "No, she's here, she's subbing,"
Brooke's face lit up. "Really?" she asked excited.
Lucas nodded. "Yeah… English… eleven I think,"
Brooke stood up, "Alright, I will go see her!" she said with a smile. "You two good?"
Lucas looked down at his sleeping daughter, "Yeah, we'll be in my office after this period,"
"Okay, bye," Brooke said and kissed Lucas' cheek which received more than a few "ooooh's" from the boys to which Brooke smiled and Lucas threw a ball onto the court at.
BOTH
Brooke looked in the window of the classroom door and smiled when she saw Haley. She knocked on the wooden door and smiled at the student who opened it for her. "Hi tutor mom!" Brooke beamed as she walked into the class.
"Brooke!" Haley said jumping up from her seat. "What are you doing here? I thought you had a test online today?"
Brooke made a face, "I did, I mean, I do… Maggie got sick and I had to go get her then my car broke down on the river bridge, then a cop picked me and a very throwing up Maggie up off the side of the road, still on the bridge may I add, and I had him bring us here," the brunette explained.
"Wow," Haley practically laughed.
Brooke nodded. "Luke told me you were subbing… so, you still like it?!" she asked excited for her friend.
Haley looked at the class, "Well, we just finished reading The Stranger, then we talked about it and then you came in," she smiled.
"Oh… well I doubt they really wanted to have class anyways," Brooke said with a kinked eyebrow.
A few laughs came from the rows of teenagers.
"Can I sit down, this damn Scott boy is KILLING me!" Brooke said rubbing her stomach.
"Yeah, here," Haley said pulling up a chair for Brooke to sit in.
"Thanks, I think he thinks my uterus is a gymnastics mat and is doing summersaults all day,"
Haley looked at Brooke concerned, "You want me to get Luke?"
Brooke shook her head, "He's been doing it since last night, I'll be fine. So… how's the new Naley baby?" she asked.
Haley placed her hand on her still flat stomach, "Good so far,"
"And Naley…?" Brooke pressed.
"…good so far,"
Brooke smiled. "How is Caroline doing with everything? I mean, Nathan's around a lot more, and you're having a baby…"
Haley took a deep breath. "She's - -" she started but was cut off by the bell ringing. "Bye guys, you guys were great!" she said with a smile and a slight wave as the students flooded out.
"What do you have now?"
"Lunch, so I can talk for a good thirty minutes,"
"Okay, so how's Care?"
Haley ran her hand through her hair. "She thinks I'm mad at her…"
"Oh no, why?"
Haley took a deep breath. "I had a talk with her teacher the other day and Caroline's been acting up in class… but not really… I - - I don't know," she said confusing herself.
Brooke tilted her head, "Haley," she asked.
Haley looked up, her eyes full of tears, a few running down her face. "I don't know what to do Brooke, she's not focusing, interrupting, she talks so fast they can't understand her, and she repeats stuff she just said…"
"Oh, Haley," Brooke said hugging her friend. "Sweetie, I'm sure it's nothing,"
Haley nodded. "Yeah,"
"You don't need to stress about it, okay?"
Haley sniffled, "I know, I'm just… ugh! I hate hormones!" she laughed.
Brooke smiled, "Tell me about it,"
"So your car broke down on the bridge?" Haley asked.
"Oh my God! Yes! It just stopped! And then Maggie threw up," Brooke said shaking her head holding back her laughter.
Haley too laughed, "Only you,"
"I know! Right?"
BRUCAS
Brooke walked into Lucas' office and smiled seeing Maggie sound asleep in a chair in the corner of the room.
"She's quiet, huh?" Lucas whispered.
Brooke nodded then looked up at her husband.
"What's up?"
She shrugged, "I just talked to Haley,"
"Yeah? What's going on with them these days?"
"She thinks something's wrong with Caroline,"
Lucas looked up, "Is she okay?"
"Yeah, no, it's not anything… like bad… I don't think,"
Lucas shook his head confused. "Why does she think so?"
"Caroline's teacher talked to Haley about her speech, and her lack of focusing and she interrupts and stuff… I don't know,"
"Maybe she's just acting out… because of the baby or because she's just not getting attention at home…?" Lucas shrugged.
"Maybe," Brooke nodded.
"We should take her for a day this weekend, have her spend the night or something. If nothing else give Nathan and Haley a chance to Christmas shop." Lucas suggested.
"That'd be cool, we can keep her preoccupied for 24 hours I imagine."
"I'd hope so," Lucas laughed.
"We're not in your way here are we?" Brooke asked looking back at Maggie.
Lucas shook his head, "No, I have free period until last period and that's freshman, so I just run them,"
"Okay, I'm sorry,"
"Why are you sorry?" Lucas laughed.
"Because, we just kinda showed up…"
"In a cop car, because yours broke down, on a bridge. Babe, you're fine."
Brooke nodded, "Okay," She breathed.
NALEY
"Hey bug," Nathan said walking into Caroline's classroom as she ran into his arms.
"Hi daddy!"
Nathan picked her up and sat her on his hip. "How was she today?" he asked the teacher.
The woman looked at Caroline not wanting to talk in front of the young girl.
"Oh, Care, how bout you go get your stuff together?"
"Okey-dokey," she said and ran to her cubby.
"I spoke with your wife recently about her behavior in the classroom…"
"Yeah, we talked to her about it,"
"She's a great kid, do not get me wrong in any way!"
Nathan nodded.
"She just…"
"No that's - - you can't play with that because it's mi - - it's not yours because it's mine!" Caroline said snatching a toy from a little boy.
Nathan nodded, "I know…"
The teacher smiled sadly.
"Haley and I are gonna talk about it this weekend, figure some stuff out,"
"Alright,"
"Daddy, can we go? I wanna color in my color pages because the ones here are boring!" Caroline said rolling her eyes.
"Yeah sweetie, we're leaving,"
"Bye!" Caroline waved to her teacher.
BOTH
"What are you doing?" Brooke asked over the phone.
"I am about to do laundry, why, what are you doing?" Haley replied.
"I am about to come get your daughter for the day,"
"Why…?"
"Because, Christmas is in two weeks and I know you and Nathan haven't had a whole lot of time to shop yet. And I want to see my niece,"
"Um… alright,"
"Okay, well pack her an overnight bag because she is gonna spend the night with us,"
"Are you sure? Brooke, you're pregnant,"
Brooke nodded, "Yeah, besides, you're pregnant too,"
"Right, but I'm not as pregnant as you nor am I offering to keep both girls for the night,"
"They will be fine, Luke will be home the whole time with them too, don't worry."
Haley laughed, "Okay, when are you gonna be here?"
"Like ten minutes or something?"
"Yeah, she'll be ready, thanks Brooke,"
Brooke smiled, "No problem Hales, see you soon,"
"Okay, bye" Haley said and hung up. "Caroline!" Haley yelled.
"Huh?!"
"Come with me and pack a bag," Haley said walking into the living room.
"Why?"
"Because you are going to Aunt Brooke and Uncle Luke's house for the day and you're spending the night,"
"I am?!"
Haley nodded, "But only if you come get your stuff ready,"
"Okay!" Caroline yelled and ran off to her room Haley right behind her. "I want this, and this, and this, and this, and this, and - -"
"Care, it's one day baby,"
"Okay," Caroline nodded, "And this, and this, and this," she continuing to put clothes in her duffle bag.
Haley rolled her eyes and went to the bathroom and grabbed her toothbrush and an extra pony-tale holder and wrapped it around her brush and brought everything into Caroline's bedroom to put in her bag.
"Mommy, it won't close," Caroline struggled.
"Well baby, you only need one outfit and your pajamas,"
"Oh… are you sure?"
"Do you want two outfits?"
Caroline nodded.
"Go ahead, but you don't need… ten," Haley laughed pulling clothes from the bag.
"That one!" Caroline yelled grabbing a pair of pants and shirt.
"Alright, you said two, what else?"
"Um… this," Caroline decided and placed her second outfit into her bag.
"And your warm jammies," Haley said grabbing Caroline's pants and long-sleeves pajamas. "You're ready bug,"
"Can I bring my blanket?" Caroline asked holding the big blanket she had on her bed.
Haley shook her head, "I imagine Aunt Brooke will have blankets for you, and pillows and maybe a bed if you're lucky,"
"Mom," Caroline laughed.
DING DONG!
"She's here!" Caroline yelled running to the front door. "Hi Aunt Brooke!!" she cheered jumping up and down.
"Hey baby girl," Brooke smiled. "You ready to hang out with the cool Scotts?"
Caroline smiled and nodded.
"Where's your stuff?"
"Momma has it, my bag is in my room and momma is bringing it out here for me cause I answered the door."
Brooke nodded, "Mu-huh,"
"Hey," Haley smiled walking to the door with Caroline's bag.
"Hi, where's your husband?"
"Shower," Haley yawned.
"Tired?" Brooke laughed.
"Apparently,"
"Bye mom!" Caroline said hugging her mom. "Tell dad I said bye,"
Haley nodded, "I will, have fun, but be good,"
"Of course," Brooke said like it was obvious. "Let's go girlie! Uncle Luke and Maggie are waiting for you!"
"Yes!" Caroline said excited and skipped out with Brooke.
NALEY
Haley went and laid down on her and Nathan's bed.
"What are you doing?" Nathan laughed coming out of the bathroom.
"Sleeping," Haley mumbled.
"You can't sleep, it's not even eleven,"
"Yes, but I've been up since five thirty with your very hyper daughter,"
"My very hyper daughter,"
Haley sat up, "Yes, yours. There is no way she got that from me, I was never that hyper, it's got to be a Scott gene,"
Nathan rolled his eyes, "Everything's a 'Scott gene',"
Haley nodded, "Except the brains,"
"Oh, except that," Nathan said placing a kiss on Haley's lips. "So where is our little genetically blessed child?"
Haley laughed, "Oh, Brooke picked her up a few minutes ago, she's staying with them tonight,"
"All night?"
Haley nodded, "As of now,"
"Me and you time?" Nathan asked wrapping his arms around his wife.
Haley nodded. "Sounds like it," she smiled.
"Whatever shall we do?"
"We need to go shopping," Haley said honestly.
Nathan nodded. "Okay, tell me when and where,"
Haley smiled, "Thanks,"
"Anytime, now will you kiss me please?" he asked and leaned in.
Haley leaned the rest of the way in and the two kissed.
BRUCAS
"Uncle Lucas! Maggie! Guess who's here?" Brooke said as she and Caroline walked into the house.
"Who momma?" Maggie asked from the kitchen.
"Me!!" Caroline yelled running to see her cousin.
"Caroline! Do you wanna play?" Maggie asked hugging her cousin.
Caroline nodded and the girls ran to Maggie's room.
"Hi baby," Lucas said wrapping Brooke in his arms.
"Hi," Brooke breathed.
"How you feeling?"
"Pregnant,"
Lucas gasped, "No way,"
Brooke hit him playfully, "Luke," she laughed. "Um, I've got to do some stuff for school can you just make sure they don't like burn the house down?" she asked.
Lucas nodded, "How long do you think you'll be doing that?"
Brooke shrugged, "I don't know… why?"
"I was just wondering,"
"I'll try to be quick," Brooke nodded and placed a quick kiss on Lucas' cheek.
NALEY
"So I talked to Caroline's doctor yesterday," Haley said while she and Nathan were on their way to the store.
"Yeah?"
Haley nodded, "Mu-huh, he said we should take her to a speech pathologist and see if they think anything's wrong,"
"Really?"
"Yeah, he said it's good that we caught it and said something, because even if it's nothing like bad or whatever, it could still be fixed and if it's not addressed it could just be a hindrance for her,"
Nathan nodded, "Okay, when do you wanna do it?"
"Um, I was thinking about next week, I asked her doctor to see if he could find a good pathologist and get her in and he said he'd try and he'd call this weekend,"
"Alright, well just let me know what you'll need me to do or whatever, okay?"
"Thanks Nathan,"
Nathan smiled and grabbed her hand. "How are you doing? How's the baby?"
Haley now smiled, "We're good, a little over two and a half months," she said placing her hand on her stomach.
"Can I tell you a secret?"
Haley nodded.
"I'm really excited about having a new little baby,"
Haley smiled, "Well I'm glad! Me too!"
BRUCAS
"No! Honestly, Luke, I can't do this!" Brooke said panic in her voice.
"Baby, I'm trying to help, what do you want me to do?"
"I'm not trying to be mean Luke, but both of them going at 100 mile per hour I can't even type my own name,"
"Brooke, you've been at this for over three hours, maybe you should just be done for today," Lucas suggested.
Brooke looked at Lucas pitifully.
"Be done for today," Lucas repeated shutting the lid to Brooke's laptop.
Brooke nodded, "Okay,"
"Alright, now come in here with me and watch the children,"
Brooke pouted.
"Oh no, you're the one who wanted to get her today,"
"Fine," Brooke said and walked into the living room with Lucas to keep an eye on the girls. "Can me and you watch TV?"
"Sure," Lucas nodded.
"Hi mommy," Maggie smiled.
Brooke smiled back at her mini-her, Maggie's brown pig-tales swaying from side to side as she talked and laughed.
"So Mrs. Scott, what do you want for Christmas?" Lucas asked as Brooke leaned into him on the couch.
"What do I want for Christmas?" Brooke repeated.
Lucas nodded.
"I want Joey's room done, or at least, I want stuff for his room. I don't need anything," she shrugged. "How bout you?"
"Well I was gonna say a new watch, but damn! I guess I want stuff for Joey too,"
Brooke laughed, "No! You don't have to, it's really all I want… and I will work on your watch dear," she said giving him a kiss.
"No! Maggie I don't want you to play with that because I want to and if you do I can't because you might break it!" Caroline informed her cousin.
Brooke and Lucas both turned their attention to the little girls.
"Okay," Maggie shrugged giving the doll to Caroline and picking another one up.
"No! Maggie, not her either! I don't - - I want to see that one too because - -can I please have her too, Maggie?" Caroline asked going from demanding to polite.
"How have none of us noticed it before?" Brooke whispered.
"Maybe it's recent…"
Brooke shrugged, "Why do you think she does it?"
"I don't know… I don't think she realizes she's doing it…"
Brooke nodded. "Haley is really freaking out,"
Lucas rubbed Brooke's leg that his hand was resting on. "Yeah… this is all she needs, ya know? With the baby and her and Nathan… I don't want her to have anything to worry about at all…"
Brooke nodded, "You're a good friend, Luke," she said watching the two girls play.
NALEY
"Are you hungry?" Nathan asked Haley as they got back into the car.
Haley contemplated the question for a moment before she answered. "Yeah… you?"
Nathan nodded, "What do you want?" he asked.
Haley shrugged, "Whatever you want is fine with me," she smiled.
"Alright," Nathan said and drove out of the parking lot. "Is that your phone?" he asked turning the radio down vaguely hearing a song playing.
"Oh! It is, thank you!" Haley said fumbling thru her purse grabbing her buried phone. She touched the answer button, "Hello?" she asked.
Nathan watched Haley's facial expressions change as the phone conversation continued until she finally hung up. "You okay?" he asked.
Haley nodded, "Yeah," she faking a smile, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
"Hales… who called?" Nathan pressed.
She shook her head, "It was Care's doctor,"
"Yeah? What did he say?"
Haley looked at Nathan, "He's got her an appointment set up for Monday…"
"You okay?" Nathan asked noticing Haley's eyes seeming to get a bit cloudy.
Haley nodded, "Yeah," she said with a shrug, a tear escaping from her eye at the same time.
"Baby," Nathan said holding her hand, "It's okay," he assured her. "Why are you getting so upset?" he asked.
Haley sniffled, "I don't know, I'm just being stupid, I mean… I don't know," she stumbled.
Nathan squeezed her hand and brought it to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on the top of her hand. "I love you,"
Haley looked over at him and smiled, "I love you too,"
"She's okay, you know that… this is nothing, okay?"
Haley leaned over and laid her head on Nathan's shoulder as he continued to drive, "Thank you," she whispered.
Nathan nodded and rubbed her back.
BRUCAS
"I'm not tired mommy," Maggie whined.
"Yes you are," Brooke corrected her.
Maggie shook her head, "Nu-uh,"
"Yeah-huh," Brooke mocked nodding.
Maggie put her hands on her hips, "Momma,"
"Maggie," Brooke laughed. "It's past ten, I'm tired. I know you have to be."
Maggie sighed.
"I'm not tired either," Caroline said shaking her head.
Brooke gave Maggie a look, she already had Caroline in bed watching a movie, not thinking about her parents before Maggie started this whole 'I'm not tired' thing.
Caroline sat up, "Aunt Brooke…?" she whispered.
Brooke looked over at her niece. "Yeah sweetie?"
"What time is my mommy coming to get me?" she asked.
Brooke walked over to the almost five year old. "She'll be here in the morning," Brooke said with a smile.
Caroline's eye filled with tears, "Iwanthertocomegetmetonight," she said extremely fast, her chin quivering.
"Hold on baby, I didn't understand you…" Brooke said trying to calm the little girl down.
"Is she, I want her tonight to come and get me tonight, is she going to? That's what I want, Aunt Brooke…"
Brooke bit her bottom lip, "Well, mommy and daddy are already in bed baby girl. You'll be okay, Maggie is gonna be in here with you. And me and Uncle Lucas are right down the hall there, alright?"
Caroline nodded wide-eyed.
"I'll come check on you guys later, okay?"
"You promise?" Caroline asked.
Brooke kissed Caroline's forehead. "I promise. Now get some sleep, both of you. I love you girls,"
"Love you too," Both girls replied.
NALEY
"What's on your mind, Hales?" Nathan asked gently rubbing her arm with the back of his fingers.
Haley shrugged. "Just thinking,"
Nathan nodded. "Everything's gonna be okay," he promised her.
Haley looked up at her husband and saw something in his eyes that she hadn't seen in so long, something that triggered something inside of her, something she hadn't felt in a long time with him. She trusted him. She trusted him with everything; Caroline, the new baby, her… everything. She trusted her husband again. She leaned in and kissed him so passionately.
Nathan responded to the kiss, although caught somewhat off guard. He gently picked her up as Haley was eager to deepen their kiss and he carefully moved them to their bedroom.
Haley began removing Nathan's clothes while he did the same to her.
"Caroline needs to stay with Brooke and Lucas more often," Nathan joked in between kisses.
Haley smiled as he laid her back on the bed.
"God, I love you Haley," Nathan said in awe of her.
Haley placed both of her hands on either side of Nathan's face. "I love you too, so much, Nathan," she said and brought him down to her and they continued their what turned into a long night.
BRUCAS
"You okay, Pretty Girl?" Lucas asked noticing Brooke had yet to fall asleep.
"He's not moving…" she whispered, her eyes glued to the ceiling, her hands on her stomach.
"Well, that's not a bad thing is it? You always say he's moving around and you can't get any rest because he never stops,"
"That's just it," Brooke said looking over at Lucas. "He never stops… and now he has." She said clearly getting worried.
Lucas kissed Brooke's forehead, "Just relax and go to sleep baby. You have an appointment next week, everything's gonna be okay," he promised her.
Brooke swallowed hard but nodded, needing to believe every word Lucas was saying.
"I love you," he said and held her closer to him.
Brooke nodded, "I love you too, Luke." She whispered closing her eyes the feeling of his arms around her calming her nerves easing her to sleep.
ALRIGHT!
So if you read my other fic (everywhere in my mind) thank you! : lol you know that I had a bit of a delay with getting chapters out b/c I got smashed in a go cart 2 Fridays ago and was in the ER that Saturday and it really screwed my weekend up, not to mention my head w/ the pills I was on. Anywho! Everything kinda go pushed back a bit b/c I was not able to write for a couple of days.
-as for the chapter… I hope you guys enjoyed it.
I'm trying to get some naley fluff in there b/c yall have been so w/o for so long!
And Brucasers… I honestly have no idea where I'm going with that side of the family. Hopefully something will hit me soon!!
Next chapter!
-Naley appt. for Caroline
-Brucas appt. for Brooke
-CHRISTMAS/NEW YEARS
-comments are always LOVED!!
love ya
-manda
