Chapter 37:

Lucas arrived home, his heart and head feeling much lighter, like a 2 tonne weight had been removed.

He found Brooke curled up on the sofa, remote control in one hand, mug of tea in the other.

"Hey baby," her eyes flickered to meet his. "So, how are you doing? I mean with everything that's happened."

"Good, I'm doing good. I love Addie already. And I love you, for being okay with this."

She smiled serenely, "Why wouldn't I be? You were together then, and we're together now. Peyton's my best friend, and I'd love her kids, no matter who the father is. I just can't wait to meet her,"

"About that, Peyton said she'll meet you guys at the mall's food court at 12:30, if that's alright with you?"

"So, what's she like? Addie?"

"She's got Peyton's curls and my eyes, she's beautiful Brooke. I can't believe she's mine,"

"I'm sure she's perfect babe," Brooke's heart began to feel like a rock, or was it a lead weight? But it wasn't because her fiance had a child with her best friend, that honestly didn't bother her. She just couldn't place the feeling. "Anyway, it's been a crazy day and I've got stuff to do before I meet Peyton and Haley, so I'm off to bed,"

They kissed and she went upstairs. Both Lucas and Brooke felt the lack of passion. There used to be sparks when they touched and their kisses no matter how small, were like fireworks.

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"I get to meet Auntie Brooke and Auntie Haley today?" Addie was bouncing around as they waited for Brooke and Haley.

Peyton pulled her daughter onto her lap, "Quiet down. Yes we are. You know what they look like, so sit here and tell me when you see them,"

"There! There, that's them," she squealed, pointing towards the entrance.

Both Peyton and Addie waved them over and they ran over, their faces split into grins.

"Hey!" Peyton gave them both hugs.

Haley knelt down to Addie's level, "And who might you be?"

"Adelaide Elizabeth Anna Sawyer, but you can call me Addie," she giggled and scrunched her nose.

After all the "Aww's" were finished, the quartet began to shop. But after a couple hours, Addie began to whine and they realised it'd be a good idea if they went back to Brooke and Lucas'.

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"You can put her down on in the guest room, or our room. Whatever works best," Brooke put her bags on the table and crashed on one end of the couch. Haley joined her not a moment later.

"Isn't she sweet?" Haley asked.

"She's perfect, I love her. Peyton's done a good job." Brooke agreed wistfully. "I want a girl."

"Same here, maybe this one will be," Haley pointed at her abdomen, which was as flat as ever.

"Well you can find out soon can't you?"

"Six weeks,"

Peyton came downstairs, "What's in six weeks?"

"Nathan and I can find out the sex of the baby in six weeks,"

"Oh my gosh, that's so exciting! When are you due?"

"End of April. I'm just 10 weeks,"

Peyton let out the sigh that had become familiar of late, "I still can't believe how much I've missed,"

Brooke's face looked like it'd been carved from stone, "Why did you leave Peyton?"

"Brooke! It's okay, you don't have to tell us hun," Haley scolded and then turned sweetly.

"It's fine, you deserve the truth, which is basically that when Lucas and I were together, I slept with Jake,"

"Jake?" they interrupted.

"Yes Jake, anyway I found out I was pregnant, and well I didn't know who the father was, but I felt guilty, left and Jake, Jenny and I were all living together, but when Addie was born, I knew she was Luke's and Jake and I didn't work out after that,"

"Wow,"

"I know," Peyton choked, "It's so sad isn't it? I mean I was so stupid that I couldn't be sure of my baby's father."

"It's not sad, and you aren't stupid, you just made mistakes, and everything's fine now right?" Brooke tried to soothe her.

"Not everything's fine, Jake, he thought she was his, he even chose her name, then I crushed him, and now he's gone,"

Haley handed her a tissue, "Gone?"

"Died in a car accident," she sniffled.

"Peyton..."

"I'm fine, I'm fine,"

"What happened to Jenny?"

"Jenny's living with her grandparents,"

They sat in silence, just thinking about everything, until, from upstairs, there was a call, "Mama"

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"Can I go get her?" Brooke looked pleadingly.

"Go ahead,"

While Brooke was upstairs, Haley took the opportunity to talk to Peyton alone, "I can't believe you're back,"

"I can't believe I was gone, I feel like I never left!"

"Oh my god, you still have to see James, you haven't met him since he was a baby!"

"It's so hard to believe he's 4 already! And I can't believe you and Nathan are having another one, I figured you wouldn't let him touch you," Peyton nudged her playfully.

"Seriously? Nathan and I? Most people are surprised we don't have more kids"

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Later that same night, Lucas arrived at Peyton's to collect Addie, who begged to stay with him and Brooke, with whom she was crazy about.

But as he went up the walkway, he knew something was wrong. The door looked like it had been wrenched open, and was splintered around the lock. Luke's heart thumped madly as he dashed in. There was obviously some struggle, as the rug in the front hall was askew and a wall mirror was cracked. He could have sworn there were droplets of blood on the wood floor and wall.

"Peyton! Addie!" he yelled. Running from room to room, he saw everything in place and Addie's overnight bag was at the top of the stairs. Luke took the steps two at a time and relaxed slightly when he saw Addie asleep on top of her bed. But where on earth was Peyton? After he confirmed she was no where in the house, he called Brooke and told her to hurry over, so she could keep Addie out of the way. He didn't want her scared. Then he phoned the police.

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"I got here as soon as you called," Brooke ran to the porch. "What happened?"

"Peyton..she's gone,"

"What do you mean gone? Where's Addie?"

"Look at the door, I think someone took her, and the hall mirror is cracked." he carefully left out the part about the blood. "Addie's upstairs. I want you to get her and take her home. Her bag's on the stairs, alright?"

"But what about the police, will they want us going in?"

"Don't worry, just don't touch anything alright? They said I should take her, so she won't get scared or anything. I don't know if they're going to want to talk to her or not, but seeing as she looks fine, take her home, and put her in bed. Please?"

"Anything," Brooke's pulse quickened as she filled with dread. But she had a task at hand, and taking care of Addie would hopefully occupy her enough.

They entered the house carefully, hoping they wouldn't obscure any evidence. Brooke gently picked up Addie and carried her past the disturbing scene, and Lucas followed with her bag.

"Be careful baby," Brooke whispered as they parted with a kiss.

Now all he could do was hope for the best as Brooke drove away and police cars drove closer. It was that moment there, that his heart chose.

A/N- Hope you enjoyed! I should get another chapter out fairly soon! Please, please REVIEW!!

xo-Sasha