Katie – Thanks for that AWESOME review! I've been itching to reply to it since you left it. I do have a plan for Brooke in this story that doesn't involve her getting pregnant! I didn't want to do that for this story. I don't want to give too much away but she won't get pregnant in high school in this. I see where you're coming from and yes I admit that it was common in the stories. That's one of the reasons why I've taken stories down and I'm re-writing them and completely changing things around in them. You haven't offended me in the slightest in your review. I look forward to more from you.
paigematthewsfan21, xXalienatedXx, tanya2byour21, Litalove, bjq, Diane Hermans, craxygirl54, fairley, Kasey, Eve G, Holly-Roberts, JackSawyer99, James McLean, Danny-Walker, Jason-Carlton, Jessica James 23, Riley Barnes, The-Ryanator, Lee Martin, Jen loves Nathan, John Tate, Raven-Rachel23, The-Tommynator, MollyCW23, The-Tim22, Nicole-2223, Alyssia-Owens, Beth-J-Matthews, Ashley J Scott, Carter-James, Cheery Rose 23 – Thank you all so much for your reviews! I love reading them all!
"So what do you want to do Hales?" Lucas asked as he drove along the road in his car. He was spending the day with Haley while Brooke was keeping Nathan company.
"I don't know," Haley replied. "I never really thought about it."
"You wanna go play crazy golf?" Lucas suggested.
"Hell yeah!" Haley replied as she smiled. "I'm just glad I like a sport that I can play while pregnant."
"Yeah you're lucky that way," Lucas told her. He was quiet for a few moments before he asked. "How are you Haley? I mean really? How are you coping with the thought of Nathan going to Iraq?"
"You're the first one to ask me that," Haley replied. She remained silent as she though and then sighed before she spoke again. "I'm scared Lucas. I'm scared that he won't come back and I'll be a single mom. I wish that I hadn't been so careless and gotten pregnant."
"Have you told Nathan that?" Lucas asked her.
"No," Haley admitted. "I don't want him to know because he'll worry while he's away. And I just need him to concentrate on getting back here in one piece and alive so we can be a family. Please don't tell him Luke."
"I won't," Lucas promised her. "Whatever you tell me today stays between us okay?"
"Okay," Haley replied with a small smile. "Thanks Luke."
"You're welcome," he told her with a grin. "I have to look out for my little sister and my niece or nephew."
"You're the best big brother in the world, you know that?" Haley asked him as she looked over at him. "And my baby is going to have an amazing Uncle."
"Thanks Hales," Lucas told her as he blushed slightly. "That means a lot you saying that."
"Well it's only the truth," Haley replied. "Promise me you'll come back in one piece too."
"I promise," Lucas told him. "I'm just glad that you and Brooke will have each other to help you through this while me and Nathan are over there."
"I'm glad that you and Brooke made up," Haley told him. "How come you changed your mind about getting married?"
"There are a couple of reasons," Lucas told her. "I didn't want to make her a widow before she's even finished high school and I want to look forward to getting married to her when I get back."
"I know people have been avoiding this subject, but what if you don't come back?" Haley asked. Lucas remained quiet and it dawned on Haley that there was another reason why Lucas had called the wedding off. "You called the wedding off so that Brooke would hate you wouldn't you?"
"Yeah," Lucas confessed. "How did you figure that out?"
"Because I'm a girl and we're brainier than you guys," Haley told him. "So if I've figured it out, it's only a matter of time before Brooke does."
"I think the only reason why you managed to figure that out is because of the extra brain you have right now." Lucas said as he laughed. Haley joined in.
"Have you made your will yet Lucas?" Haley asked as her laughter suddenly stopped.
"Yeah I have," Lucas replied. "While I was doing it I realized just how little I own."
"Nathan said the same when we did his." Haley replied with a wry smile.
"Did he leave everything to you and the baby?" Lucas asked.
"Yeah," Haley said in a sad tone. "I hope that he never has use for that will."
"Hales he will one day," Lucas pointed out. "We all die."
"Yeah I know, but by the time he does die, I'm hoping we're married and have a home and more kids," Haley told him. "I hope that when that time comes Nathan and I are an old couple and we go together in our sleep cuddled together."
"That's kind of romantic in a morbid way," Lucas said as he frowned. "I just split what I do have between everybody."
"What about your funeral?" Haley asked.
"I can't quite bring myself to do that," Lucas said as he sighed. "I tried doing it on the day Brooke and I should have gotten married, but I just couldn't do it. I'm hoping that Brooke will help me with that."
"Nathan's is all planned," Haley said as she frowned. "He wants to be cremated. He said that way if I move away I can take him with me."
"Again romantic in a morbid way." Lucas told her as they arrived at the crazy golf course.
"You ready to get your ass kicked big brother?" Haley asked as she climbed out of the car.
"Oh please, you ain't gonna win!" Lucas replied as he copied her actions.
~X~
"Thanks for helping me with the packing Nathan," Brooke said as they wrapped Victoria and Richard's breakable items in newspaper and bubble wrap before placing them into boxes. "I know it's not very interesting."
"I don't mind," Nathan told her. "It's nice to do something normal for a change instead of making wills and planning funerals."
"I bet it is," Brooke replied as she smiled slightly. "Have you done all that already?"
"Yeah I have," Nathan told her. "So the rest of the time that's left I can enjoy it."
"That's one good thing," Brooke told him. "Are you and Haley going to be thinking of names before you go?"
"Yeah," Nathan said as he smiled. "We're going to come up with a girls name and a boys name so we're prepared for whatever we're blessed with. I just wish that I was going to be here for the birth."
"That sucks that you're going to miss it." Brooke told him in a sad tone.
"It does," Nathan replied with a sigh. "Life seems to have a habit of making it hell for me."
"Really?" Brooke asked curiously.
"Yeah," Nathan answered. "First with my family dumping me and then nobody else wanting me. Then everybody picking on me caused my grades at school to suck. The only option I had really was to join the army. Then I met Lucas and we became friends and then I met Haley and fell in love. Now life is making it so that I have to be away from her. I just hope that I make it back."
"So the army isn't your dream job?" Brooke asked.
"No it isn't," Nathan admitted. "Not like it is for Lucas. The sooner I can leave the better."
"What job do you want to do out of the army?" Brooke asked.
"I have absolutely no idea," Nathan replied. "I know Haley wants to teach one day, so I don't mind being a house husband. I'm pretty good at cleaning; it's just the cooking that I suck at."
"That's cute," Brooke replied with a soft smile. "Maybe we should enroll in cooking classes together once you're back."
"That would be pretty funny," Nathan said as he laughed. "Me and you cooking together? From what I've heard that could be pretty catastrophic."
"I think it could." Brooke agreed as she too laughed.
"That the first time I've seen you laugh since Lucas was a dumb dumb and called the wedding off," Nathan told her. Her laughter faded instantly and Nathan mentally kicked himself. "I'm sorry Brooke."
"It's okay." She mumbled as she brought her attention to a vase she was wrapping.
"You guys are back on track now though." Nathan told her.
"No we're not," Brooke replied sadly as she looked at Nathan. "Can I tell you something?"
"Sure." Nathan told her.
"You have to promise that you won't breathe a word to Lucas." Brooke told him as she gave him a look that told him she was serious.
"I promise." Nathan assured her.
"Lucas and I aren't back on track. I haven't forgiven him for changing his mind about getting married." Brooke told him.
"I'm confused," Nathan said with a frown. "Why are you two all coupley again?"
"Because I want him to be able to concentrate on what he has to do over there," Brooke told him. "I don't want him brooding about us and not concentrating on his job. Maybe when he comes back I'll have forgiven him."
"Damn," Nathan said as he perched on the sofa arm. "You did a pretty good show at making it look like you two were okay."
"I know," Brooke said as she blinked back tears. "I don't like myself for it. But it's for the best."
"At least you'll have Haley to take your mind of Lucas while he's away." Nathan pointed out as he saw the melancholy look on her face.
"No I won't because I won't be in Tree Hill," Brooke told him. "I'm moving to Charlotte with my parents. I haven't told Haley but I will tonight."
"Brooke she needs you." Nathan told her, not quite able to believe his ears.
"I know Nathan," Brooke told him as the tears escaped her eyes. "I know that Haley needs me now more than she ever has before. But I need to get out of Tree Hill before I go insane. It's so hard pretending that I'm okay with what Lucas has done and that I understand why he did it. He tells me that he loves me but I don't believe him anymore. But if it means that I have to put on an act for these few weeks so that he thinks we're okay so that he can concentrate on his job then I'm going to do it. At least that way there might be a chance for us."
"Brooke don't cry." Nathan said as he moved from his spot on the sofa arm. He walked over to her and gathered her into an embrace. Brooke tried pushing him off but then let him comfort her.
"I can't help it," she told him. Her voice was muffled by the solid wall of his chest. "I know I should be here for Haley, I just can't stay here. I'm going to be here for the birth though. I won't let her down for that Nathan I promise."
"Have you told your parents that you're moving with them?" Nathan asked as Brooke continued to cry.
"Yeah," Brooke answered. "I told them a couple of days ago when I decided that I needed to get out of Tree Hill."
"When do you leave?" Nathan asked as Brooke moved out of his arms.
"The day you and Lucas leave," Brooke said as she wiped at her eyes. "It's going to be tough on Haley."
"And you," Nathan told her. "Maybe it's a good thing that you're only going to Charlotte and not to L.A or anywhere too far away. You can be back here in an hour on a plane."
"I know," Brooke told him. "I feel so bad that I won't be able to see her in a few minutes and be there when she needs me to. But I just can't stay in Tree Hill. I need to get away to sort my head out."
"I understand Brooke," Nathan told her in a soft tone. "And if I can understand your reasons why, then I'm pretty sure that Haley will as well."
"Thanks Nathan." Brooke told him as her tears stopped.
"What for?" he asked with a puzzled expression. He felt like he hadn't done anything to deserve her thanks.
"For listening," Brooke told him. "It's nice to talk to neutral ears."
"Anytime Brooke," Nathan told her. "Except when I'm away."
~X~
"I told you that I would win." Haley said in a smug tone as she and Lucas ate lunch together at a diner that overlooked the beach.
"I just let you win," Lucas replied after he had swallowed his burger. "I took pity on you."
"Oh please!" Haley scoffed. "Did you see how crappy you were playing?"
"I wasn't playing crappy," Lucas insisted in a whine. "You were the one who was playing crappy little sister."
"In your dreams Lucas!" Haley said as she threw a French fry at him.
"You carry that on and they'll throw us out of here." Lucas told her.
"I'm surprised they didn't when you whined like a child!" Haley replied.
"I did not whine!" Lucas told her.
"You so did!" Haley insisted as she threw another French fry at him.
"You carry that on, I'll be throwing you in the ocean!" he said in a playful warning tone.
"You wouldn't dare!" Haley said as she grinned. "You wouldn't want to hurt your niece or nephew."
"Throwing you in the ocean won't hurt the baby Haley." Lucas told her.
"It could," she insisted. "One I could land wrong, two it's freezing and three I could get pneumonia."
"Okay I get your point," Lucas replied as he threw a fry back at her. "What do you want to do this afternoon?"
"I don't know," Haley replied. "What do you want to do? We already did my request. This day is for you as well Luke."
"You wanna go to the movies?" he suggested.
"The movies are good," Haley replied. "But can we get seats near to the door? I might have to pee a lot and I don't want to disturb anyone."
"I'm sure we can do that," Lucas told her. "Now get eating before we miss the next viewing."
~X~
"I think this is so cute what you're doing," Brooke said to Nathan as they walked through the mall. "I'm glad Haley has a good guy like you Nathan."
"Thanks," Nathan replied with a smile. "I want to make sure that Haley will get gifts on time for the special occasions that are going to happen before I go away."
"Are you going to keep them with Karen?" Brooke asked.
"Yeah I think that will be for the best," Nathan replied. "I was going to ask you if I could leave them with you but now I know you're moving Karen will be the best choice."
"Sorry," Brooke replied in a soft tone. "I can help you wrap them if you want."
"I'll definitely take you up on that offer," Nathan replied. "My wrapping skills are limited."
"So I saw at Christmas," Brooke replied with a laugh. Nathan joined in as they arrived at the baby store. "I take it you'll be getting both girl and boy things from in here?"
"Yeah," Nathan replied. "I'm sure the one that doesn't get used this time will be used at some point in the future."
"I'm sure it will," Brooke said as they headed into the baby store. "I'm just glad that I don't need anything from here."
"You don't?" Nathan asked curious.
"No," she replied. "Luckily Lucas didn't succeed in giving me a baby. That would be the last thing that I need right now."
"You're right it is," Nathan told her. "In an ideal world me and Haley would have been more careful when we met back up in Florida. But then in my defense I wasn't exactly thinking with my brain when that happened."
"I can imagine," Brooke said as she smiled. She then quickly moved over to something that had caught her eye in the clothing section. "Nathan you have to get this in case you have a daughter. It's so adorable."
"It's very small." Nathan replied as he studied it.
"What do you expect it's for a baby," Brooke said as she laughed. "Really though you should get this. Haley will adore it, especially with it not being pink."
"True she will," Nathan agreed. His eyes then fell on an outfit and he walked over to it. He picked it up and held it out to show Brooke. "Do you think my son would look cute in this?"
"You and Lucas love your basketball huh?" Brooke asked as she eyed the blue and white mini basketball outfit that had NBA written on the front. "I think your son would look very cute in it."
"What if I got this basketball hat to go with it?" Nathan asked as he picked up a knitted beanie style hat that was designed to look like an actual basketball.
"That's taking it a little too far," Brooke told him. "Please promise me that you and Haley won't be those parents who dress their kid up in humiliating outfits and think it's cute."
"We won't," Nathan replied as he placed the hat back where he had got it from. "What size should I get?"
"It's up to you," Brooke told him. "If you get a larger sized one he can grow into it. If you get a smaller one he should be able to wear it straight away."
"I'll get the one that says six months then." Nathan said as he put the outfit back on the rack and hunted for a bigger size.
"You want the same in this dress?" Brooke asked.
"Yeah," Nathan replied. "I'm glad you're helping me with this. If I was here by myself I'd be getting the complete wrong things."
"I'm glad I can help Nathan," Brooke told him as she found the dress in the size Nathan wanted. "Are you getting things to go with these?"
"Like what?" Nathan asked in a clueless tone.
"Booties, a sweater, socks, hats that aren't made to look like basketballs." Brooke rhymed off in an amused tone.
"Okay point taken Brooke," Nathan said as he laughed. "No stupid ass outfits on my kid."
"Good." Brooke replied as she joined in with his laughter.
"Damn babies are expensive." Nathan said as he looked at the price tags on the outfits and then on the other items Brooke had told him about.
"It's only the start Nathan," Brooke told him. "Just think of everything else you'll have to pay for until your child is an adult."
"Damn," Nathan replied as he thought over everything. "I'm gonna need a really well paid job and a great savings account."
"Yep you will," Brooke told him as she smiled. "Especially if you have a daughter. We're more high maintenance than you guys."
"I really hope that I have a son." Nathan said as he and Brooke headed towards the cashier.
~X~
"Mom this food looks awesome!" Haley said in a happy tone as she, Lucas, Nathan and Brooke sat at the dining table with Keith, Karen, Richard and Victoria.
"I take it you're hungry." Karen replied in an amused tone.
"I'm starving!" Haley told her as she looked at the mountains of food that Karen had made.
"God all you've done today is eat," Lucas said in a teasing tone. "She cost me a fortune at the movies."
"I am eating for two remember!" Haley told him as she gave him a playful glare.
"Well you should have remembered that when you were too busy throwing your fries at me in the diner." Lucas told her.
"Why is when you two are together you behave like kids?" Keith asked his children.
"Because Lucas is immature." Haley replied.
"Oh please!" Lucas scoffed. Nathan and Brooke watched the exchange in amusement. "Do you not remember Christmas when you were whining about putting the angel on the tree like you did when you were 5?"
"You're so mean to me," Haley said as she stuck her tongue out at him. "I don't know how Brooke can put up with you."
"Brooke loves me that's why." Lucas said as he grinned. Brooke swallowed as she managed to smile. Nathan glanced over at her as she did.
"Well somebody has to." Haley replied before she began to attack the food.
"How did you get on with packing?" Karen asked Victoria.
"Really well actually," Victoria replied. "Nathan was a godsend today in moving the heavy stuff."
"It's all that training the army makes us do." Nathan replied with a grin.
"It's only two weeks until you go isn't it?" Haley asked them.
"Yes it is," Victoria replied as she looked at Brooke. "It's the same day that Nathan and Lucas head back to the base."
"I have something to say about the move actually," Brooke said as she looked over at Haley. "I'm going to Charlotte with my parents."
"What? Why?" Haley asked in a surprised tone.
"I think it will be good for me," Brooke replied. "I'll be back for when the baby is due Hales, I promise."
"This is great," Haley said, her appetite suddenly gone. "I lose my fiancé, my brother and my best friend in the same day."
"What?" Nathan asked in a shocked tone. "You don't lose us Haley. We're coming back."
"What am I supposed to do while you're all away huh?" Haley asked as she burst into tears. Her hormones weren't helping her right then. "I'll be here all alone and I won't have anybody to back me up at school when they're all gossiping about me because I'm pregnant!"
"Haley nobody will be doing that." Karen told her.
"And you'll have me and your mother." Keith pointed out.
"Haley, I'll only be gone three months," Brooke told her. "Then I'll be back for the summer."
"You promise?" Haley asked as she wiped at her eyes. Nathan wrapped an arm around her shoulders as he tried to comfort her.
"Promise," Brooke assured her. "Now get eating your food before the baby gets cranky."
~X~
"Thanks for drying the dishes Lucas." Karen said as she went into the kitchen.
"You're welcome mom," Lucas replied as he closed the door to the plate cupboard. "It's the least I can do after the feast you put on for everybody."
"I just want to make sure that you're fed well before you go." She told him.
"You're definitely managing that." Lucas told her.
"Lucas have you thought about what you're going to do for Brooke's birthday?" Karen asked him. She then checked to make sure that Haley wasn't within ear shot. "Nathan has gotten gifts for Haley and the baby for the special occasions while you're both away. He's leaving them with me to give to her when it's time."
"That's a good idea," Lucas replied. "I think I might do the same for Brooke. It's only her birthday and Christmas I need gifts for."
"I hate that you won't be here for Christmas." Karen said in a sad tone.
"So do I mom," Lucas replied. "Hopefully it'll go by fast. This past year has flown by so maybe the next one will."
"I hope so," Karen said in a sad tone. "I also hope that you come back as fit and well as you are now."
"So do I," Lucas repeated. He crossed over to Karen and hugged her. "I'm coming back mom. I promise. And I'll be the Lucas I am now."
"What's going on in here?" Keith asked as he came into the kitchen.
"Just a mother and son bonding moment," Lucas replied as he and Karen separated. "So while Brooke and Haley are at school tomorrow, I'll head to the mall and get some gifts and stuff for Brooke. I'll have them all wrapped and with you before she gets home."
"Good idea son," Keith said as he headed over to the kettle. "Now who wants some tea?"
~X~
"I can't believe that you're going to Charlotte." Haley said to Brooke as they hung out together in Haley's bedroom.
"I have to Haley," Brooke told her. "It may be selfish of me but I need to get away from Tree Hill."
"I understand," Haley replied. "I just hate the thought of my best friend being so far away from me."
"It's not that far Hales," Brooke pointed out. "It's an hour on a plane, 3 in a car. If you go into labor before I'm back here, call me as soon as your contractions start so I can set off."
"You can count on it," Haley told her with a smile. She paused before she asked. "Is it because of Lucas that you're going to Charlotte?"
"Yes he's the main reason why I'm going," Brooke admitted. "I think new surroundings will do me good. And we can talk everyday in the computer and phone each other."
"I know we can, but it won't be the same," Haley said with a sigh. "I guess I'll have to have my mom come to the appointments and stuff with me."
"At least she'll know what you're going through," Brooke told her. "I probably wouldn't be any good at that and it could scar me for life and put me off having kids."
"What if you and Lucas have already made one?" Haley asked her in response.
"Don't worry we haven't," Brooke told her. She then laughed as she said. "I've never been so happy to see my period before."
"I bet you haven't," Haley replied as she thought back to when she found out she was pregnant. "One of us should enjoy being teenagers without grown up responsibilities."
"I shall try and enjoy it Haley," Brooke told her. She grinned as she added. "Hell I'll do your partying as well shall I?"
"Please do," Haley told her with a laugh. "I will live vicariously through you while being a sensible mother."
"Glad to hear it," Brooke replied. She then groaned as she saw the time. "Well I better get going. I told my parents I'll be home in five minutes."
"You're not staying here?" Haley asked in surprise.
"I need to get used to sleeping without Lucas," Brooke told her. "The sooner I start the better."
"Good point," Haley replied. "You're still giving me a ride to school tomorrow right?"
"Sure am, so you better be ready," Brooke told her with a laugh. "See you tomorrow Haley."
