How to Save a Life

Chapter 37 –

"You and Luke are going to make such great parents." It's a lazy Sunday afternoon, and as the two best friends sit on the porch enjoying the warm breeze, their usual glasses of wine and tabloid magazines are now replaced with nice cups of ice-cold lemonade and baby naming books.

Flicking through the pages of one of the paperback guides, Brooke pauses momentarily and looks up with a genuine and grateful smile on her face. "You think so, P. Sawyer?" she asks, bringing a hand to her swollen belly.

"Are you kidding? Of course. I'd say he or she is going to be the luckiest kid ever to have parents like you two. And having an awesome aunt like me is also a huge plus," she teases.

Brooke's smile falters a bit. "I just…I don't want to be a bad parent like mine were…or like Dan was…I mean come on, Peyt…Luke and I don't have the best training when it comes to great parenting…" she fearfully confesses. It's a thought that's been nagging her for the past few weeks. Of course Lucas always urgently disagrees, but as her husband he has to respond like that. She needs an honest opinion. She can always turn to Peyton for one.

"Brooke…come on, you can't actually believe that you won't be a good mom. And you wanna know why?"

Shrugging at Peyton's rhetorical question, the blonde continues.

"Because you, Brooke Penelope Davis Scott, are the most caring, passionate, selfless, genuine and loving individual I've ever met. And you're my best friend and I love you. I know you're going to do an amazing job mothering that little baby. Don't even doubt it for a second."

Silence engulfs the two women for what feels like forever and for a moment Brooke considers the fact that maybe this was all a rash, bad idea. Maybe too much time had passed for an actual, calm and rational confrontation. After all, it has been months. And in those months, so much had happened that now, standing before the curly blonde Brooke had once been able to confide in about nearly everything, she feels as if she's gazing into the eyes of a stranger.

"Peyton…" Brooke trails off, trying once more to get something out of Peyton. Anything – even if it is a closed door to her face.

Finally, with a delayed reaction, Peyton nods her head slowly and steps aside. "Of-Of course…come on, come inside."

Breathing out a sigh of relief, feeling as if the first major obstacle of this whole ordeal has been hurdled, Brooke steps inside, a new wave of uncertainty washing over her. What now?

She never thought she'd come to the point of actually not knowing what to say to Peyton. They'd been best friends since elementary school and Brooke had always thought it would stay that way. Of course, that young, she had no idea of the pain, betrayal, and lies that existed in the grownup world. Aside from Haley, Peyton had always been Brooke's confidant – One she thought she'd always be able to rely on.

"So…it's um, it's been a while," Peyton speaks, trying to break the ice. "I didn't expect you to come," she continues with honesty. She'd given up on the idea of Brooke ever forgiving her. She'd accepted that that ship had long sailed. She had royally screwed up – there was no turning back.

Brooke shrugs her shoulders, warming up the slightest to being in her ex-best friend's house. "Me neither," she answers sadly. She can't explain the impulse she had had only a few hours prior that urged her to get in her car and drive the oh-so familiar streets to get here. She doesn't know how it happened exactly, but it did.

"I…I don't know if I have a right to ask this but…what changed, Brooke?"

The brunette lets out an elongated sigh and tiredly runs a hand through her locks. She shifts her weight from one foot to another, unsure of how exactly to answer such a question. Without a sound, she reaches into her purse and pulls out a sealed envelope, wordlessly handing it over to the blonde.

Peyton's lips part a bit in curiosity as her fingers fumble to open the item she's been presented with. When her eyes scan over what the envelope contains, they widen in surprise. She then shifts her eyes to scan over Brooke's left hand, letting realization set in.

"You're getting married?"

Brooke then lifts up her hand for her to get a better look. She feels her eyes begin to flood with tears. "I'm finally happy again, Peyton."

Peyton can only assume that the mystery man is Julian, though she can't be quite sure. The recognition that she's missed out on this much of Brooke's life only upsets her even more. She wishes she could have been there to share in the happiness. If things were how they used to be, she'd have been one of the first people to find out about news like this; she'd have been there celebrating right along with her.

"I never thought I'd be able to feel this way again…but Julian – he's… just…he's so great, Peyton."

Peyton smiles sadly and stares down at the wedding invitation once more, glancing at the approaching date. "I'm happy you're happy, Brooke…You deserve it…I mean that." She adds after a beat. She's never meant to hurt her in the way that she has. She has always been rooting for her best friend. Always. Even in the midst of this horrible fight and detachment. "You deserve it…the boy, the success with your store…You deserve it all."

Brooke isn't the least bit surprised in Peyton's reaction...she never feared that Peyton wouldn't be happy for her. Because Peyton had always been the type of person that would support Brooke no matter what, especially when things turned sour between them.

"I miss you, Peyt-" overwhelmed with emotion, Brooke blurts out, and it isn't long before the blonde finds tears of her own swelling in response to this.

Peyton shakes her head, resisting the urge to break down. "I know I screwed up pretty bad…I haven't been able to forgive myself…so, I understand why you can't…I just…I miss talking to you…seeing you…seeing Colton…I miss….God, I miss being your best friend, Brooke," she relents, finally surrendering and completely letting her wall down since their encounter.

Contemplating an answer, Brooke thinks back to all the anger and pain she's held inside her during these past few months. Peyton's "news" had sent her life on a tailspin. She had come to think that they would never resort back to their juvenile high school ways but the unspeakable incident had proved them all wrong. Maybe they hadn't changed at all. Because once more, just like in high school, Peyton was left with that awful guilt-stricken feeling and Brooke was left never feeling more vulnerable in her life.

"Sometimes…," Brooke speaks lowly, cautious with her words. "Sometimes I wish you never told me, Peyton. I wish that you had never became distant when Luke got sick. I wish you never told me the truth…because the truth hurt. And it made me hate Lucas and it made me hate you…But…but I don't hate the two of you….and I was able to forgive Luke because I know that he still loved me and I know he loved Colton…and I know that you still love me too…I just…I should have known…you guys, you always had something…maybe it was my mistake for always trying to ignore it…and I can't—I can't keep blaming you for that the rest of our lives. Yes, it was a mistake. And I was angry and I probably will always be angry when I think back to it…but maybe, maybe it was inevitable, and I can't keep that anger locked inside me for the rest of my life. I have to…I have to move on. I have to move on and forgive you, Peyt." Brooke finally takes a deep breath, allowing Peyton to register all that she has said. Suddenly, it feels like a weight has been lifted and she is no longer carrying around such a huge burden. She's put it all out there, and she's proud.

Wiping away stray tears that have fallen onto her cheeks, Peyton finds a tiny, hopeful smile making an appearance on her previously saddened face. She knows that having a friend as passionate, selfless, and forgiving as Brooke Davis is something to be extremely grateful for. Optimistically, she thinks now maybe things will slowly but surely return back to normal. She's been longing for this familiarity with such anticipation.

"I did it!" Colton proudly professes, bringing his feet down off the pedals of the bike onto the pavement to ease to a stop. He's guarded with knee and elbow pads and a helmet that Julian made him wear (despite his protests arguing he was only going to be riding in the front yard). Julian knows Brooke would kill him had anything serious happened. This way, Colton is spared a few scrapes and bruises.

"I told you that you could, buddy," Julian encourages, happy to see the young boy so proud and elated. He's reminded of the time a few months back when they were having surf lessons on the beach in California. Julian is happy to report that this time, the outcome is much more positive than then.

"Mom's gonna be so surprised! Last time she saw me tryin' to ride a bike, I fell and got a huge cut on my leg; I even still have a scar!" he exclaims in a serious tone.

"Well now you'll have to show her all your new tricks then, huh?" Julian questions, watching as Colton nods his head vigorously.

"Thanks for teaching me, dad," Julian hears back, and still every time, he has to stop for a minute. He's a father. He knows that this is just the first of many experiences he'll share with Colton.

"You're absolutely welcome, Colt," he replies, bringing the boy in for a hug.

It is only seconds later when they see Brooke's car pull up into the driveway. Not even realizing it before, Julian notices how she's arriving home a bit later than usual from the store. He'd been so preoccupied with Colton and teaching him to ride he had hardly noticed.

"Mom!" Colton shouts just as she gets out from the car and shuts the door. She wants to ask him all about his first day back at school but he seems to have other plans in mind. "Look…look what I learned how to do!" he proudly shows off, tightening his helmet and then trying his very best to ride in a straight line down the front yard so she can see.

Impressed, Brooke turns to Julian in question. Just this morning her son had not known how to ride a bike, and now, a handful of hours later, here he is, riding like he's been doing it for months now.

"We figured while you were still at work we'd do something productive," he smiles as Brooke rushes over to Colton's side.

"Baby, I'm so proud of you!" she gushes, pulling him in for a hug once he stands up and off the bike.

Colton smiles up at Brooke and gives her a nod. "I think dad would be proud of me too…'cause my new dad taught me how."

Brooke places a hand on his cheek and stares into his eyes that remind her so much of Lucas. "I know he'd be proud, handsome," she assures sincerely. "Now…I'm hungry…what do you boys say we go inside and order some food?"

"I'm starving!"

"You made Colt so happy today, Julian," Brooke tells him as the two get ready for a good night's sleep. "I mean, Luke tried to get him to learn for months…so, thank you."

"Brooke…" he laughs lightly. "I told you that you don't have to thank me for every little thing I do for him…he's going to be my son…and I can't wait for that to day to come."

Smiling at the thought, Brooke wraps her arms around his torso. "Me neither."

"So…how was work when I left you after lunch? You seemed to be there longer than usual today." he comments.

"Actually," Brooke begins, clearing her throat and looking up to meet his gaze. "I left work a bit early today and went to see somebody…" she states cryptically. "I went to… see Peyton."

Julian stands back, surprised at her revelation. She seems relatively calm which indicates that maybe things actually went okay. "Did you now? And…how'd that go?" he asks, and can't hide the tiny smirk that has found its way onto his face. All along he's been telling her to go and talk to Peyton.

"I told her how I've been feeling all these months; how she had let me down and I was crushed…but then…I forgave her because despite everything, I miss my best friend, Julian. I even invited her to our wedding."

Pressing a kiss to her forehead, Julian envelops her in a tight embrace. "I'm so proud of you."

She allows herself to close her eyes, still locked in his hug. She finally completely feels at ease and she has to admit that it is a wonderful feeling. "I couldn't have done it without you."

A/N – I know it's been over a month since the last chapter – I truly am sorry. It just feels like I haven't had much time for myself plus I had a severe case of writers block :(

So I mentioned something like this in the last chapter, but considering that was nearly 2 months ago, I'll ask here again. I can either wrap this story up in about 2 chapters, or start a new storyline that could very well stretch it 10 more chapters…Are people still reading? Please leave feedback! :)

-Melissa