FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO WISH YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS. I HOPE AND WISH YOU HAD A FANTASTIC TIME !. HERE IS MY PRESENT FOR YOU ALL !.

I WANT TO THANK ALL THE PEOPLE THAT GAVE ME REVIEWS, ALERT MY STORY, ME AS AN AUTHOR AND OF COURSE PLACED THIS PROJECT AS FAVORITE, ALSO MY ANONYMOUS READERS. SO THANK YOU: PAIGEMATTHEWSFAN21, MERDARKANDTWISTY, DIANEHERMANS, LITALOVE, ARUBAGIRL0926, BJQ.

I WISH TO THANKS MY WONDERFUL BETA / TRANSFORMER LISA OR AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW HER BY Leeese, SHE DID A FANTASTIC JOB WITH IT BECAUSE THIS IS NOT MY WRITTING STYLE AND EVEN THOUGH I TRY TO CHANGE IT, I CAN´T. SO KUDDOS TO HER.

I INVITE YOU ALL TO CHECK MY OTHER BL STORY THAT IS HERE, THE LINK: s/5640088/1/What_s_Left_Of_Me

DISCLAIMER: I DON´T OWN ANYTHING ABOUT OTH. IT ALL BELONGS TO MARK SCHWAHNN, THE CW, WARNER AND TOLLINS - ROBBINS.

I DON´T EVEN OWN THE SONG THAT BELONGS TO THE RIGHTFULL OWNER.

HERE IT IS... ENJOY AND PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW, THAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE ME.

Chapter 28 –Between Doubts and Certainty

It was eight twenty p.m. on Sunday evening and Peyton had just arrived at the record label for her meeting. She switched the lights on and since she had ten minutes to spare, she decided to listen to some demos. At precisely eight thirty, she heard a knock on the door.

"Come on in," Peyton called as she switched off the music. The door opened and she saw a woman enter the room. "Hi partner, you arrived right on time. How are you?"

"Hi Peyton, I'm good. By the way I'm always on time." Victoria replied.

"That's good to know," Peyton replied. "What do you want to talk about with such urgency?"

"Why, did I scare you?" Victoria asked amused.

"As a matter of fact, you did. You scared me to death when you called to meet me in such a hurry on a Sunday night." Peyton replied.

"Here is something you will hear it now and never again." Victoria told her.

"What is it?" Peyton asked curiously.

"Sorry for scaring you." Victoria said.

"That's okay," Peyton replied shocked that she had managed to get an apology from her. "Now again what do you want to talk to me about?"

"I need an update on things, since the other day we couldn't talk." Victoria told her.

"Sorry for that, Haley came in so I had to cut the call." Peyton explained.

"That's fine. We agreed to keep this a secret. Besides the other point we need to discuss is a future game plan." Victoria said.

"Okay, Victoria, I'm all ears." Peyton told her.

"First, I need an update on things." Victoria reminded her.

"Well I don't remember if I told you that Lucas moved in with Brooke." Peyton began.

"Yes, you told me and?" Victoria asked as she pulled an expression of disgust.

"They went baby shopping this past Friday." Peyton added.

"Yes, I know that." Victoria told her.

"How do you know that?" Peyton asked surprised. "Have you been following them?"

"Yes, of course." Victoria replied.

"Victoria that is a very dangerous move. We can waste all the work we've been doing." Peyton told her with a sigh.

"Yes, I know but I need to keep a close eye on them." Victoria insisted.

"Well, this is just what I'm doing," Peyton told her. "But tearing them apart is going to be a very slow and precise process; like ants gathering food. And it will take a good amount of luck, because they are glued to each other."

"Well, I hope you can accomplish your part of the deal. They have to break up before the wedding. I hope I did not make a mistake by hiring you." Victoria said firmly.

"You did not hire me, we are partners. And don't worry, by that time, you will have a crying Brooke in your arms, and you can do whatever you want with her," Peyton said as she smiled. "I'm gonna have Lucas by my side finally."

"Whatever!" Victoria replied uninterested. "I just want you to do something, okay?"

"What else do you want me to do?" Peyton asked her.

"I want to you to find out about the next project or line that Brooke is working on." Victoria told her.

"What for?" Peyton asked curious.

"Because it will help me with my backup plan." Victoria answered.

"Which is?" Peyton asked extremely interested.

"I'm not telling you that." Victoria replied as she started to turn back towards the door.

"C'mon Victoria, I'm your partner." Peyton coaxed.

"I guess that if I don't tell you that, you will just keep asking, and I don't have patience to hear a backstabbing friend like you," Victoria said icily. "My backup plan consists in convincing some really rich investors to buy shares of the company and naming me the new CEO. And if I have the new line with me, I can show them that Brooke is not needed anymore and it will help me convince them."

"Wow that is a very sneaky plan. What is it called in the business world?" Peyton asked.

"That my friend is called a Hostile Takeover." Victoria told her with a smirk.

"Cool." Peyton replied with a slight smile.

"Yeah, very cool." Victoria agreed, still smirking evilly.

"Anything else you want me to do?" Peyton asked her.

"No, nothing else," Victoria said as she looked at the clock. "I'm gonna go now. It was a really nice meeting, but I can't stand in this mediocre office any longer. I never knew that you had it in you Peyton Sawyer. I never thought you were so bitchy. I'm glad to do business with you."

"I never knew it either, or I guess I was a little in High School, but," Peyton trailed off. "Well, I'm glad about the fact that we are partners."

"Good Night Peyton." Victoria stated bluntly.

"Good Night Victoria." Peyton replied.

It was nine thirty when Victoria left her office. Peyton stayed a little longer thinking about the meeting they just had and wondering how it would be when she went back home. What would she do next?

~X~

It was Monday morning. Lucas and Brooke had arrived home from the Country Club the night before; exactly a week after they put Anna's nursery together. Brooke was renewed and with a great disposition.

She had breakfast with her fiancé and went straight to work. Lucas had no practice scheduled for that morning; the team players had mathematics and chemistry exams. He decided to go see Nathan, or would it be Haley? He walked up and rang the doorbell to Naley´s house.

"Oh hi Luke," Haley said as she answered the door. "Aren't you supposed to be at school? Come on in."

"Thanks. Hi Hales," Lucas replied as he hugged her. "Actually yes, but the team had exams this morning, so I'm kind of on a break. By the way what are you doing here, shouldn't you be at school, Teacher?"

"I wasn't supposed to go today. I have some stuff to take care of at the record label." Haley replied.

"Oh cool." Lucas responded.

"It's so unusual and a surprise to see you alone these days," Haley told him teasingly. "You are always with Brooke, where is she?"

"Yeah I know I can't be away from her for too long. She's at work right now; someone has to maintain our life style after all." Lucas replied as he laughed.

"If she heard you, she would definitely kill you," Haley told him as she too laughed. "What brings you here?"

"I was planning on talking to Nate, is he around?" Lucas asked.

"No, he's not. He is training with Q at the river court why?" Haley replied as she poured herself and Luke a bit of orange juice.

"I wanted to talk to him about game plans and strategies. Well, I'm just gonna go then, pay Brooke a little visit." Lucas told her with a wink.

"Wait, don't go just yet." Haley said as she sat next to him at the kitchen counter.

"Why, do you need something Hales?" Lucas asked.

"Yes I do, I want to know how the weekend went?" she informed him with a smirk.

"A real gentleman doesn't tell." Lucas said to her as he smiled.

"C'mon Lucas, you are dying to tell me and I don't buy that pathetic excuse that you are looking for Nathan." Haley told him as she took a sip of her juice.

"Why do you think that? Maybe I'm truly looking for Nathan." Lucas said.

"Because I grew up with you Lucas Scott, and I know you like the palm of my hand. So spill it mister." Haley told him.

"I can't fool you, can I?" he replied with a laugh before he too took a sip of his juice.

"No, you cannot. Start talking!" Haley told him in her bossy teacher voice.

"Well, if you want to know, everything went fabulous," Lucas said as he smiled happily. "We reconnected as a couple at a much higher level and it wasn't just in bed. But we had a rocky and troubled start."

"It's great to hear that. What do you mean by a rocky and troubled start?" Haley asked with a frown.

"I made Brooke take Jamie to school by herself just so I had time to fix things. I waited for her to leave, packed up our bags and waited for her on the front porch with the luggage. She came back to the house to pick me up for work and when she saw that scene, she thought-" Lucas explained but trailed off.

"What did she think?" Haley asked.

"She thought I was leaving her, so she started to cry like a baby. And she asked all these questions, and begged me not to go." Lucas told her with a sigh.

"How could you do that to her?" Haley asked alarmed. "Why would you let her think that? Did you explain what was going on?"

"It didn't even occur to me that she could think that, and I guess she did because I was avoiding her every time she wanted to do it. I just wanted to surprise her, and yes, I explained everything to her, and I told her to stop crying and get her butt in the car." Lucas rambled.

"That was a risky move Lucas, but you are a very thoughtful fiancé. Did she like the place?" Haley asked.

"Yes I know it was, but it worked, because Brooke loved the Country Club. It was sunny with blue skies, beautiful scenery, great sights and endless romantic moments." Lucas replied. He got a dreamy loved up look on his face as he pictured their weekend together.

"That's so good to hear, and you are so cute when you talk about her." Haley told him as she smiled and pinched his cheek.

"Ha-ha, you're funny Haley James, but changing subject, how are you and my little goddaughter doing?" Lucas said as he shook his head at her in amusement.

"We are both very well thank you. I can't wait for her to come out so I can stop carrying this weight around, because she is heavy." Haley said as she stroked her bump.

"Hales, don't complain." Lucas told her as he laughed.

"You say that because you don't have to carry it around. You guys have all the fun and we women have the consequences," Haley told him with a serious expression. "Wait until Brooke is like that. Then you can come and talk to me!"

"I will love when she is like that, you can bet on it!" Lucas told her with a smile. "But, I need to get going. I want to talk to my beautiful soon to be wife, and just stare at her. Bye Hales, take care."

"Okay cute Lucas," Haley replied with a smirk. "I will tell Nathan that you want to talk to him. Give Brooke a kiss for me!"

"I sure will! Thanks Hales."

~X~

A few days had passed and it was already Wednesday; time for Jamie to spend the day with his Uncle and Aunt. It was four p.m. when Brooke's front door opened. Through it walked a very smiley yet tired Brooke. She had Jamie on her hip, and they were followed by Lucas, who was carrying all of Jamie's stuff.

"We are home handsome. Do you like staying at my house?" Brooke asked Jamie.

"Yes Aunt Brooke, I love here." Jamie replied.

"Well, go clean yourself a bit while your uncle and I make you a little afternoon snack okay?" Brooke told him as she placed him on the floor.

"Okay Aunt Brooke." Jamie said as he went to leave the room.

"Do you know you are unbelievably gorgeous?" Lucas asked Brooke as he put Jamie's stuff on the couch and grabbed Brooke by her waist from behind and pulled her petite body against him.

"No, as a matter of fact I don't." Brooke replied playfully.

"Well you are. Do you know that I love you more each day?" Lucas asked as he nuzzled her neck.

"Again, as a matter of fact no, I don't." She replied with a smile on her face.

"Well I do!" Lucas told her as he turned her around and kissed her.

"I love that you do!" Brooke told him when their lips parted. They then kissed again, only this time it was a deeper, passionate kiss.

"Ewwwwww," Jamie said as he came back into the room and saw them. They both separated quickly when they heard him. "Are you playing tongue hockey with each other?"

"I'm gonna fix you your snack." Brooke told him through her giggles.

"Hey J Luke, come here," Lucas said as he too laughed. Jamie obediently came up to him. "Where did you learn that word?"

"Tommy, he told me about it at school." Jamie answered.

"Do you know exactly what it means?" Lucas asked.

"It's when your tongues start fighting when you kiss," Jamie replied. "He said that his mom and dad do it all the time."

"Here is your snack, handsome! And do not say that anymore, it's not right, okay?" Brooke said as she returned with Jamie's snack. She looked at Lucas and felt embarrassed by Jamie's words.

"Okay, I won't," Jamie said as he took his snack from her. "Thanks Aunt Brooke."

"Hey Aunt Brooke," Lucas said as he got a playful look on his face. "I think I have the perfect punishment for this smarty mouth."

"What is it Uncle Lucas?" Brooke asked as she looked at Jamie.

"You grab his feet, I'll grab his body and we tickle him to death!" Lucas told her as he laughed.

"Okay I'm in!" Brooke replied with a laugh of her own.

Five minutes later they were all running through the house trying to catch Jamie who was escaping from them. But Brooke and Lucas had a good strategy and they managed to block Jamie in the hallway. They caught him and threw him to the couch and started tickling him.

~X~

Later that night, while Lucas was in bed reading some stories to Jamie, Brooke was in the living area looking through a magazine. Brooke looked up as Peyton came in through the front door. She came through the room and she sat on one of the stools in front of Brooke.

"Hi P. Sawyer Want some tea?" Brooke asked.

"Hi B. Davis, yes I would like some. Thanks." Peyton replied.

"How was your day?" Brooke asked as she handed Peyton a cup.

"Long, tiring and with too much work. How was yours?" she asked in response as she took a sip of her tea.

"It was fine; I got off work early because today is our day with Jamie." Brooke told her.

"Is he here?" Peyton asked as she looked around the spotless room. The house was also very quiet.

"Yeah, he is in my room with Luke, who is reading him stories." Brooke told her as she took a sip of her chamomile tea.

"Ahh okay." Peyton replied.

"Did you eat?" Brooke asked.

"Yes I did. Can I ask you something?" Peyton asked as she drank more of her tea.

"Of course, what is it?" Brooke responded.

"How is the business doing?" Peyton asked, surprising Brooke.

"Well it's very good, the store here is growing and making some good money and the clothes at Macy's are also selling very well." Brooke told her.

"That's good to know." Peyton said as she sipped some more tea.

"Yeah I know, it feels good." Brooke replied with a smile.

"Do you have an idea for your next line?" Peyton asked. "Did you draw it already?"

"Yes I do, and I'm almost finished doing the sketches." Brooke replied looking curious. "But what's with all the questions?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to know how you were doing, since we never talk about our business," Peyton lied. "Just holding a grown up conversation."

"Yeah, you are right about that," Brooke agreed. "The next line will be a little classic and a little bit futuristic, without losing the brand's sexy vibe, of course."

"That sounds so cool. Are you going to do the same for the baby line?" Peyton asked.

"No, the baby line will be chic and stylish, so the babies can wear modern yet classic clothes." Brooke answered.

"Brooke, you're so gonna rock next season! I would love to see those sketches." Peyton told her.

"Thanks P. Sawyer, well maybe I'll show it to you when they are done," Brooke told her with a smile. "Enough about me, how is the record label doing?"

"Pretty good actually, each that day that passes I get more and more Demos coming," Peyton told her. "I can't listen to all of them but I think that some great records will be lunched in the next couple of months."

"Which ones?" Brooke asked.

"We have Anna's CD, some local punk rock band called The Wannabis and another solo artist named James Litten. If I remember any other name I will tell you." Peyton replied.

"What Anna?" Brooke asked puzzled.

"Anna Taggaro." Peyton replied.

"Felix's sister?" Brooke asked stunned.

"Yeah, she came looking for me about a month or a month and half ago. She has an awesome voice." Peyton told her.

"Uhh look at that, I would never think in a million years that Anna could become a singer when I met her all those years ago." Brooke said.

"Me neither but when I heard her demo, her voice blew me away." Peyton told her.

"Peyton, Ellie would be so proud of you." Brooke told her with a smile.

"Yeah I know." Peyton replied as she got a sentimental look on her face. Lucas then took that moment to come out of the bedroom.

"Evening Peyton," he greeted when he noticed her. "Brooke, Jamie is requesting your presence in the room."

"Good evening Luke," Peyton replied. "Do you like playing dad?"

"Yeah, it's pretty good to have my own family," he replied distractedly. His attention was solely on Brooke. "Are you coming Brooke?"

"Sure, I'm on my way!" Brooke said as she quickly got out of her seat.

"Okay." Lucas replied as he headed back to the bedroom.

"We'll talk more later. Godmother's duty calls." Brooke told her as she left the room.

"It's okay, don't worry. Go enjoy your family!" Peyton mumbled. When Brooke went into her room, Peyton sat at the counter feeling weird, left out. She knew that no one would ever break them up again; it would be a very hard task.

In the other room, Brooke was already on the bed. Jamie was sitting on her lap, and she was leaning against Lucas's chest. Jamie looked very tired; his eyes were fighting to stay open.

"Aunt Brooke, can you sing me song?" Jamie asked her sleepily.

"Well Jamie, I don't have a very good voice for that, I'm not like your mom." Brooke told him as she stroked his hair.

"It's okay," Jamie told her. "I will like it anyway."

"Okay, what do you want me to sing?" Brooke asked as she received a loving kiss on the neck from Lucas.

"Anything." Jamie replied sleepily.

"Okay, here we go," she said as she took a deep breath. She began to sing in a very slow soothing rhythm. "You are my sunshine; my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are grey, you'll never know dear, how much I love, please don't take my sunshine away."

"Again." Jamie said almost asleep.

"You are my sunshine; my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are grey, you'll never know dear, how much I love, please don't take my sunshine away." Both Brooke and Lucas sang this time.

Jamie quickly fell asleep; he was looking very calm and relaxed. They stayed in the same position for at least half an hour, just enjoying the calmness of it all. Brooke carried Jamie in her arms, from the bed and placed him on his air mattress. After she kissed his forehead, Lucas called her.

"Hey Pretty Girl come here," He said softly. Brooke walked up to him and lay next to him with her head on his chest. "You are so amazingly good with him. And it was beautiful hearing you sing that song."

"I remember your mom singing it to you at the hospital, after your car accident. That image has never left me. I hope someday I'll as good mom as she is." Brooke replied.

"Let's not remember sad things, and you already are a great mom Brooke," Lucas told her as he kissed her forehead. "Our kids will be very lucky."

"I so love you! And they will be lucky to have you as a dad, you are just as great," Brooke told him. "Can we just stay like this, cuddling?"

"Of course we can. Forever if you want." Lucas responded before he kissed her.

"I love you!" Brooke told him.

Fifteen minutes later, Peyton turned all the lights in the kitchen and living room off. She was going to bed, Brooke was obviously not coming back and she was tired. Her bedroom was next to Brooke's, and as she went past, she saw the lights on and the door opened.

The urge was stronger than her; she had to take a look. Brooke and Lucas were sleeping, and so was Jamie. Peyton turned the light out, closed the door and went to her bedroom.

She immediately put some music on, opened her laptop and started writing something. The send button was the last thing she hit; message successfully delivered was what she read. She put some pj's on and fell asleep.

~X~

It was a girl's day out and they decided to go out and talk about girly stuff. Haley could share her anxiety to meet Anna Brooke, who would be coming in about three months. Brooke could share her nervousness about her wedding. They were there to support, laugh and maybe even cry with each other. They hadn't done that in so long. It was gonna be fun.

"So Haley how are you feeling? Anxious to see Anna for the first time?" Karen asked her.

"Yeah are you Hales?" Peyton asked.

"I already know the answer." Brooke said with a laugh.

"I'm feeling good but extremely tired and sore at this point." Haley told them.

"That is logical Haley; you are carrying another person inside." Karen told her.

"But responding to the last part of your question, I'm super anxious that these three months pass already, so I can look at her face, and hold her in my arms." Haley said dreamily.

"I can't wait to feel like that, to have that emotion, that special moment." Brooke said as she got teary eyed.

"You will feel like that Brooke, I know you will, just be patient!" Karen told her gently. "Everything has a right time to happen."

"Yes Brooke, Karen is right." Haley told her.

"You just have to be patient, you are gonna be great as a mom." Peyton assured her.

"Thanks girls, I know that I have to be patient," Brooke replied as she dabbed at her eyes with her napkin. "It just sucks to wait!"

"Haley is the baby's room ready?" Peyton asked.

"Good question, I wanna know that too." Karen added.

"Yes, you two don't worry. Her amazing godparents took care of every little detail." Haley answered.

"Just like we did with Jamie's." Brooke added.

"That's right Brooke. And Anna's nursery is filled with butterflies and flowers, everything is pink and white, and it is simply amazing, you guys should go see it." Haley said happily.

"Brooke, it's good to know that you two kept your word, and Haley, you can wait, because I'll pay you a visit." Karen told her with a smile.

"Hey Peyton, when are you gonna get a boyfriend eh, missy?" Haley asked, changing the subject.

"A sneaky attack I like that!" Brooke said as she laughed.

"Yeah Peyton, you need someone to make you happy." Karen told her.

"I'm working hard on that area," Peyton replied, not liking the current topic choice. "You guys will know about it soon."

"I didn't know that you need to work on that area." Haley and Brooke said in unison before they burst out laughing.

"Brooke, Haley cut her some slack okay?" Karen asked them.

"Thanks Karen, Why don't we change the subject?" Peyton suggested.

"Before we change subjects, I would love to know who is this man that needs to be worked on," Brooke said. "Doesn't he see how great of a girl he is missing out on?"

"You wouldn't want to know, not yet at least," Peyton replied cryptically. "And let's talk about something else."

"Okay, what can we talk about?" Brooke, Karen and Haley asked in unison.

"What about Brucas' wedding?" Peyton suggested.

"Yeahhhh!" Brooke squealed as she clapped her hands. "My favourite subject in the whole world! Great Idea P. Sawyer."

"Okay, are you nervous?" Karen asked.

"Yes Karen, super nervous because I waited so long for this. Sometimes I still think I'm dreaming." Brooke replied happily.

"Well you are definitely not dreaming." The three other women told her.

"Are you anxious?" Haley asked.

"You know Tutor Mom, I'm anxious in the same way you are about Anna." Brooke replied.

"That's some serious anxiety you have going on then." Both Karen and Haley said with a knowing laugh. Peyton felt excluded yet again.

"Yeah, it's just too crazy, and scary, and amazing, and overwhelming," Brooke said. "The moment that I'm calmer is when I have Jamie. Haley that kid of yours is-"

"He is amazing I know he got that from me." Haley said cutting Brooke off. She caused everybody to laugh with amusement.

"Do you have everything planned?" Peyton asked.

"Almost everything, I'm missing the bridesmaids dresses," Brooke told them. "P. Sawyer, I'm sorry I didn't ask for your help with the other things, but you are so busy with the record label."

"Don't worry Brooke; do you need help with the dresses?" Peyton asked.

"Yeah, that would be good." Brooke replied.

"We can go with you to help you pick colours and designs." They all offered.

"Thank you ladies." Brooke said with a beaming smile.

"Any Idea of the colour?" Karen asked.

"I was thinking they could coordinate with my flowers, and be a violet or baby purple, but I'm not sure yet." Brooke replied.

"I love that colour." They all told her.

"And it would look really good with everything we had planned so far. I'll be totally okay with that colour. How about you Peyton?" Haley replied.

"Well, if you are okay with it and said that it will look great, I'll take your word and say yes to the purple dress. Are we gonna be your purple monkeys?" Peyton asked her with a laugh.

"You're so funny P. Sawyer. And answering you, no I have only one purple monkey," Brooke told them. She then winked and laughed as she said. "You guys will be my purple cheer team, is that good for you?"

"Sure cheer captain!" Haley and Peyton replied earning more laughs.

They stayed chatting and just having fun for another hour and a half. Karen, Haley and Brooke went home; all of them had a man waiting. Peyton, on the other hand decided to go back to her office. She was wondering if the e-mail she sent two days ago had worked. She was anxious for an answer.