This is short, but I'm working on the next couple chapters which will be longer but I owe y'all an update. Sorry for the mistakes.
"Daddy?" A small voice pulled Marvin from his thoughts.
Smiling, "Hey buddy, come here." Walking towards his son, gathering him in his arms. He hoisted him onto his hip. "Did you have a good nap?"
Shrugging his tiny shoulders, "Where's momma?"
"She had a few things to do buddy, but she's supposed to come back for dinner." Mouth said, knowing that he was lying. After they had finished their ice cream, their son had passed out again and no sooner had Mouth laid him down- Peyton vanished into thin air. Then he had Rachel drop in on them, he knew it was a mistake coming back to Tree Hill and now his son would pay the price.
"Can we watch Transformers?" Alex asked.
Nodding, "Of course, buddy. Anything you want." Picking up his son and heading towards the living room. Vowing to protect his son, at all costs.
"So, Nate asked Peyton to marry him."
Nodding, "And the bitch said yes."
"You knew already?"
Sighing, "Yes." Taking a drink of her water, "I didn't purposely not tell you, it's just been a long day. I ran into her at the airport when I was picking up Lindsey, Julian, and Brooke's friend, Jake- who apparently used to date Peyton."
Rolling his eyes, "Is there nothing she hasn't done to us?"
"She has a kid with Mouth." Causing her boyfriend to drop his glass, shattering on the floor. "Exactly my reaction."
"We need to tell them." Cooper began picking up the pieces of glass. "We need to sit down and tell Lucas and Nathan."
"We can't, just like we can't tell Haley and Brooke about everyone and everything else." She spoke. "They need to come to it with their own terms."
"Damn it!" He cursed as a piece of glass sliced through his thumb. Picking up the glass, he chucked it into the garbage. Turning on the water, he ran his finger under the cool liquid.
"Hey, everything's going to work out." Rachel promised. "Besides, we just switched places. Everyone knows you're the level headed one." She teased, causing a smile to grace his lips. "I love you, Cooper Lee."
Smirking as he turned off the water and turned towards his girlfriend, "I love you, Rachel Gatina." Soon to be Lee, he added in his head. Knowing he couldn't make this beautiful woman standing in front of him his wife soon enough.
"How about in a couple of weeks, we have everyone over?" The red headed suggested. "After we let everyone get settled, maybe a barbeque? I think it'll be fun-especially with the stress of the last few days."
"Well how about we have a little fun of our own?" Running his hands down her back, past the curve of her ass. He gripped her thighs and lifted her up with a squeal of delight from her.
"Oh, I love that suggestion." Rachel returned, wrapping her legs around his waist.
Looking over the table, "Is everything ready?" Karen asked as Haley sat down the bottle of red wine in the middle of the table.
"I think so, just waiting for the two guests of honor." Haley leaned against the chair. "Is throwing them together really going to work?"
"Trust me. It'll work." Karen reassured her, reminiscing on how Lucas was with Brooke after he had met her back in high school. "They just need the right setting and Brooke will have a date for your guys' opening-no problem."
"Great." Haley smiled. "I can't remember the last time she went on a date. She's been so focused on work, this will be really good for her."
"I can say the same for Lucas. Back in high school he was so focused on sports and grades." Karen shared. "Don't get me wrong, he was a dream kid. I'm just scared now that all he's focused on is work and I want him to live."
"Looks like they're meant for each other." Haley joked.
"You have no idea." Karen replied softly to herself, just as the doorbell went off. "After all this time she still rings the bell before coming in."
"Manners." Haley informed. "She wants to alert you that she's here but still bust in. Especially if she thinks she has important news or she's nervous."
"Is this dress too much?" Brooke breathlessly questioned. Twirling around in a light pink sweet heart cut ballerina dress with a jeweled waist.
"Brooke..." Karen gasped.
Pouting, "It's too much!" Her shoulders slouching. "I just wanted to make a good impression and you said semi-formal." Pulling out a chair and falling into it. "It's too late to change, maybe if I just put on a jacket and sit down all night he won't notice."
Cupping her face, "My darling girl, you look beautiful." Smiling, "Lucas won't know what hit him." Letting her hands fall to her sides.
"Really?" Brooke perked up.
Before Haley could reassure her twin, she was interrupted by the side door at the edge of the kitchen opened up.
"Hey, sorry I'm late." Running his fingers through his hair. "I had to stop and get- whoa." Looking at the brunette who was still sitting down but had a thousand watt smile on her lips with full blown dimples. "Hi, Brooke."
"Hi, Lucas." Blushing slightly, staring down at his hands. "Oh you brought gifts?" She inquired.
"Uh, yeah." He said, glancing down at his hands. "Some red for dinner." Handing the bottle to his mom, greeting her with a kiss. "Some calla lilies for Haley." Kissing her cheek also as he handed the bouquet.
"And some hydrangea's for Brooke." Seeing the brunette stand up, unknowingly stealing the blonde's breath away. Watching her lean towards him, he shoved the flowers into her face.
Blowing them out of her mouth, "Uhm, thanks." She spoke slowly, wondering why he didn't kiss her on the cheek.
Idiot. He thought as he saw the disappointed look appear on the brunette's face. "You're welcome."
Seeing the two of them become quiet she decided to jump in, "Thank you for these. Why don't we sit down?" Haley suggested.
Tilting her head, "There's only two settings." Brooke observed for the first time as she sat down again, Lucas slowly sitting down across from her.
"I have to get to the cafe." Karen shared, glancing over at Haley. "I have a lot of work to do, I just wish I hadn't set up dinner at the same time."
Trying to hide her smile, "I have to head over to uh-" Fumbling on her words, she had been so busy trying to set up this dinner that she had forgotten to come up with a viable lie.
"She has to help me at the cafe." Karen jumped in. "So we better get going, okay bye." The two of them rushing out the back door.
"That was smooth." Lucas chuckled.
Smiling, "So where have you been the past few days? I feel like I've barely seen you." I've missed you. She added in her mind.
Tilting his head as he looked at her, "I've missed you too."
"I didn't say that." She blushed, or had she? It seemed around Lucas she never kept anything inside her brain anymore. All her thoughts came out, but he didn't mind and that made her want to share everything she thought with him.
"I've learned over the years to always read in between the lines." Moving his chair closer to hers, he leaned in and placed a soft lingering kiss on her cheek. "Hey." He whispered.
"Hey." She rasped back, locking eyes with him.
He still couldn't believe that she was right here. Sitting right in front of him, with the same sparkle in her eye that she had when they were teenagers. He finally had Brooke Davis back in his life and he had no idea what to do with it. He longed for this day, until he was reunited with her. Now that day was here and the blonde still didn't know how to handle it. How do you tell someone that they have memories with you?
Yet, looking into her hazel green eyes he couldn't find himself to care about anything else but her.
"Lucas?" She whispered. "Are you okay?" Worry etched on her face, he had been eerily quiet. Usually she wouldn't worry, they did that sometimes, where they just say in silence. Except it looked like he was in pain.
"I'm okay, dimples. Just a little lost in thought." He reassured her.
Tilting her head curiously, "Dimples?"
"Yeah." Gently skimming his fingertips across her cheek. Causing her to smile and her dimples to appear. "Dimples."
Giggling, "Oh." Leaning into his touch, before she nervously pulled away. "So what did your mom make us?"
Sitting up straight, "Hmm, smells like..." He trailed off, picking up the lid to the dish in the center of the table. "Homemade lasagna. Perfect."
"Homemade? That's it, I'm officially moving in with your mom." The brunette confessed as the smell invaded her nostrils.
Chuckling as he began serving her, "Maybe I'll come over more often if that happens." Placing lasagna on his own plate. "Wine?"
Nodding her head, "Yes, please." Moving her glass towards him as he unscrewed the cap. "So why did you decide to transfer teams?"
"I figured it was time to come home." Placing the lid back on the bottle as he placed some garlic bread on each of their plates. "I moved to New York right after graduation and I've been there ever since. Any holidays or birthdays, I 'd fly them up because it was just too hard."
"What was?" She inquired, putting down her fork.
Licking his lips, "I lost two people very close to me the summer before my Senior year." He shared. "I fell apart." Remembering how he crumbled and how he denied the truth.
"I'm so sorry." Placing her hand on his shoulder, "I can't even imagine what it's like to lose someone." Leaning towards him, "Can I ask...can I ask you who they were?"
"Two of my best friends." He answered, concealing the fact that one of them was his girlfriend(even if it was her). "I'd only known them a short time but they changed my life."
A small smile graced her lips, "Those are the best kinds of people. The ones that steal your heart."
"How'd you know they stole my heart?" He asked.
Kinking her eyebrow, "Seriously?" She smirked. "You don't run away from home for a friend you lost. Maybe fall into a depression or denial, get angry and maybe lash out. You only run away when you've lost someone that was a part of your heart."
"You're right." He whispered sadly, knowing that she was right. He ran away because it had been so hard to lose her and Haley. Now here she was sitting across from him, trying to comfort him over her death and it was just overwhelming.
Gently cupping his face, "I didn't mean to upset you." The brunette whispered, seeing the tears glisten in his eyes.
Locking his eyes with hers, "You didn't. I just don't really talk about them. I didn't want to drag anyone done by talking about the hardest part of my life." He confessed before quietly trailing off.
A small smile crept on her lips, "You can always talk to me, I'm a great listener."
"I might take you up on that." Moving his hands on top of her own that were still cradling his face. "Brooke?" He leaned forward.
"What?" Her eyebrows furrowed with worry. "Do I have something-"
He cut off her sentence with his lips crashing against hers. Inhaling deeply through his nose, it felt like something had snapped back into place. Moving his hands, he moved them to her hips as he felt her hands slowly fall away from his face and wrap around his neck.
Brooke didn't know why it felt so familiar and she didn't really care. All she knew while she laced her fingers through his blonde locks was she was so glad that she had come home. Feeling Lucas slowly run the tip of his tongue along her bottom lip, she slowly opened her mouth.
She was just as addictive as he remembered. He didn't know how had he survived so long without her. Massaging his tongue against hers, he pulled her into his lap and deepened the kiss.
Pulling away with a squeal, "Lucas!" She giggled.
Placing a kiss on her lips, "Sorry, I got carried away."
"It's fine." Adjusting herself but staying in his lap. "But it's only our first date and usually the first kiss happens at the end. Not at the beginning."
A crooked smile on his lips, "So you're saying there's more kissing at the end of the night?"
"If you prove to be a good date." Bringing a plate towards them, picking up her fork she cut into the lasagna and took a bite. "Hmm... this is amazing."
Looking at her with bright eyes, "Can I get a bite?" The blonde questioned.
"Hmm... " Cutting another piece, she brought it up to his mouth. "There you go."
Taking the bite, he savored it while grabbing a glass of wine and washing it down. "Here." He handed her the glass. And that's how they finished their date, sharing food and wine- and more than a few kisses.
"There you are." He spoke as he found the c.d that he was looking for. His breath caught in his throat as he saw a younger version of Haley looking back up at him.
After hearing her sing, he decided to do some research on one Haley Davis. He found that she had two albumns out and was working on her third. Three music stores later, he finally found one copy in stock.
Running his thumb over her face, he smiled before heading towards the cashier.
"That'll be $13.21." The cashier said, ringing up the c.d.
Handing him a twenty, "Here you go."
"Would you like a bag?" The cashier questions, handing Nathan back his change.
Shaking his head, "I'll just carry it out. Thanks though." Nathan answered, picking up the c.d. He began ripping off the plastic as he walked out of the store. Feeling someone tap his shoulder, "Sorry." He apologized, trying to get out of their way.
"Nathan-right?" A voice asked, gaining the tall brunette's.
Widening his eyes before clearing his throat, "Oh, Hi Haley." He greeted, holding the c.d. tighter as he felt his hands began to sweat.
"Hey, I was meaning to talk to you. I had a few questions for you about Cooper and Rachel." She said with a smile.
"Uhm- yeah. Sure, what'd you need to know?"
"I was running a few errands but - " She said, taking out her cell phone from purse. "Here, I'll call you. Put your number in." Holding her phone out towards him. "I'll take that." She offered to take the c.d. from him.
"Right." He said slowly, handing her the case, suddenly feeling nervous. Taking her phone, he attempted to quickly put his number in her phone.
"So what are you listening to?" Looking at the case, blushing slightly as she realized it was her first albumn. "I didn't know you were a fan."
"A new one." He hoped his voice wasn't as shaky as he felt it was. "I heard your voice at the park and then Coop told me you were a singer. Thought I'd check you out- I mean your music. I thought I'd check your music out."
Laughing, "You want me to sign it for you?" She offered.
"Sure that'd be great. Do you have a marker?"
Nodding her head, "Life of a celebrity. Always be prepared." She pulled out a permanent marker.
"Tell me about it." He said, holding up his own marker.
Smiling as she took back her phone and put it in her purse. Holding her marker and the c.d. In her hands, she looked down at it.
"Did you forget your name?" He teased.
"No." She replied. "I just never duplicate anything I sign. I want my fans to feel like one of a kind because that's the way they make me feel. Okay, I got it." Haley said as she took off the cap to the permanent marker. Signing the case, she put the cap back on the marker and handed it to him. "Here you go."
"Thanks. I appreciate it." Smiling as he looked down at what she had signed. He felt the blood drain from his face. His hands became clammy again and nausea took over as he read 'Always, Haley Davis'
"Nathan? You're shaking." She noted, worry etched in her tone. "Are you okay?"
Putting her hand on his shoulder, "Nathan?" Wondering if she needed to call someone.
"I'm s-s-sorry. I have t-to go." He stuttered before ungracefully fleeing.
Watching the basketball star all but run away from her, she was worried but she couldn't help but find his stutter was adorable. Unlocking her phone, she pulled up a blank message before quickly texting Lucas. Letting him know that he needed to look out for his brother.
"Okay, I really have to go." Brooke said, breaking their kiss.
Pressing his lips against hers, "I know. I know." Mumbling against her lips. "But you promised more kisses at the end of the date." Wrapping his arms around her as she wrapped hers around his neck.
"I did." She said, kissing him again before letting out a squeal as he picked her up and began walking her off the porch. "Lucas!" She exclaimed, though he just captured her lips again.
"I'm just walking you to your car." He muttered against her mouth. "But I still want my kisses." Gently placing her down by her car. "Here you are, dimples."
Giggling as she kissed him once again, "We should do this again, without my sister and your mom attempting to be sneaky about setting it up." Brooke leaned against the car.
Smirking, "How about I escort you to your opening?" He offered, feeling like it was old times. He wondered if she felt any familiarity with him.
"I'd like that a lot." Brooke replied, "I really do have to go."
Nodding, "Okay. Text me to let you know you got home safe." Opening her car door, he watched as she got in. He closed the door before leaning against the window frame. "Bye."
Leaning towards him, "Bye, squinty." She teased, "We'll work on the nicknames." Pressing a kiss to his lips.
Pulling away from her, "Bye, pretty girl." He said softly as she rolled up her window as it had started sprinkling. Waving as she pulled away from the curb, it never occurred to him that she had heard him.
"Pretty girl..." She whispered softly to herself, too happy to realize the significance of that nickname.
Heading back inside, he looked over the kitchen to make sure everything was in place. They had decided to clean up to spend more time with each other. Then when they finished, they moved into the living room and just talked until Brooke had glanced at the clock and saw it was almost ten. She didn't want the night to end but she hadn't seen her sister all day and they had a busy day tomorrow-so they ended the date as slow as they could.
Turning off the lights, he decided to head to bed. He knew he needed to look for a house soon, but it was nice to be back in his parents house again- to be home.
Heading towards his room, he paused as he saw the light on in his brother's room. "What?" The blonde wondered aloud as he changed directions and pushed open the door. "Hello?" He asked, looking around the room before he found his little brother sitting on the floor with his back against his bed. "Nate? Are you okay?" Moving to take a seat next to him, seeing the brunette clutching something in his hands.
Wordlessly, Nathan handed Lucas the c.d. case.
Looking down at the signature, Lucas opened his mouth to say a smug remark but as soon as he saw the distraught look on his brother's face it died on his tongue. "Hurts like hell, doesn't it?"
"Sorry I didn't believe you." Nathan apologized. "How'd you go through this by yourself?"
Placing the case next in between them, "I was overwhelmed at first. Then I was just relieved." He began. "I couldn't believe that she was back and tonight- I spent my second first date with a girl I've been in love with since high school and I'm happy- really happy."
Placing his hand on Nathan's shoulder, "I know that you're in a tough spot, Nate. Being with Peyton and Haley being alive." Taking a breath, "I know you're overwhelmed but I want you to let all the confusion and heartbreak go. Focus on one thing."
"What?" Nathan asked, his voice shaking.
"Haley's alive." He answered. "She's alive and she's okay." He told him as if Nathan didn't know. "Maybe you end up with Peyton or maybe you end up with Haley. Maybe you two become best friends but it'll be more than enough. You know why?"
"She's alive." Nathan echoed, before a strangled sob escaped his throat.
"C'mere." Pulling his brother into a hug. "It'll be okay." He reassured him. Knowing that his brother needed him right now. "You'll be okay."
"Nathan, where are you?"
"I'm at my parents house." He sighed, sitting on his bed. After an exhausting interaction with his brother, he was too tired to go back to Cooper's house. He didn't even think to call Peyton, he just wanted to sleep. "I meant to call you, it's been a long day." Looking down at the c.d.
"Which is why I want my fiance with me." Peyton spoke. Sitting on the bed, looking down at her engagement ring. Suddenly feeling farther away from him then just a few miles.
"I'm tired, Peyt. I'll see you in the morning. Okay?" He spoke, wanting to end the phone call.
"Yeah, that's fine." She lied. "I love you."
"I love you, too." Ending the phone call, he gently got up from his bed and made his way across the room. Opening his c.d. player, placing the c.d. in and pressing play. He walked back to his bed as a slow piano intro flowed through the speakers. Climbing into bed, he turned off the light just as Haley's voice flowed to his ears.
It's October again
Leaves are coming down
One more years come and gone
And nothing's changed at all...
A/N- I'm still reeling from the best weekend in Wilmington, North Carolina. Where the first ever US One Tree Hill Convention was held. Needless to say meeting Chad, Hilarie, Lee, Bevin, Antwon, Michael, Cullen- too many to name. I'll be going to the one in August. Maybe I'll see you there. I'm getting off topic, what I'm saying is that spending that amazing weekend in 'Tree Hill' was motivation to finish this story so get prepared for multiple updates. Let's finish this ride.