Chapter 36
"Mmmm, Good morning beautiful" Peyton says rolling over looking at Brooke.
"Good morning" Brooke says kissing Peyton softly
"Happy New Year" Peyton says smiling
"It sure is" Brooke says "We should probably get home"
"I know" Peyton says "I just was enjoying being alone together"
"I love your family…"
"But it will be nice when they return home…"
"Just remember you said it"
Peyton laughs "I know. I love spending time with my family but they've been here a long time and I'll be happy when life is back to normal"
"Well it will be crazy again"
"I'm going to try to not work as much"
Brooke laughs a little "Ok, sweetie, if you say so"
Peyton laughs a little "Let's get going!"
Brooke kisses her "Ok baby"
Peyton and Brooke get up and get their dresses back on. Peyton calls a car and they head home. They walk into the penthouse laughing.
"Where have you two been?" Anna snaps
"Out" Peyton says
"We have been worried sick! You could have called and let us know where you were!"
"We're sorry" Brooke says
"Well breakfast is ready" Anna says turning and walking away
"Oh she's pissed" Peyton says
"I can see that" Brooke replies "I'm going to go change"
"Me too" Peyton says following her down the hallway
Peyton and Brooke slip into their sweats and head back into the kitchen.
"What's for breakfast?" Peyton asks smiling
"Waffles, French Toast, bacon, sausage and I can make anything else if you want it" Anna says a little angrily
"Momma" Peyton says "You need to stop being mad at us. Brooke and I are fine"
"Well what if you weren't fine" Anna says
Brooke laughs a little
"You think this is funny young lady!" Anna snaps at Brooke "I was worried sick about you two. Why didn't you call?"
"We're sorry mom" Peyton says "But we're home now and you can relax"
"Fine!" Anna says "I'm going to finish packing"
Peyton laughs a little "Ok, momma"
Anna leaves the room and Sawyer walks in "Hi mommy" He says giving her a hug and a kiss
"Hi sweetheart" Peyton says putting him on her lap "How was your sleepover last night?"
"Boring"
Brooke laughs "Why?"
"Because we didn't do anything fun!"
"Oh really" Brooke asks "And where's my hug and kiss?"
Sawyer jumps down off of Peyton's lap and goes over to Brooke giving her a hug and kiss. She puts him on her lap. "So what did you do that wasn't fun?"
"We watched movies all night while Kate entertained!"
"Oh" Brooke says laughing
"She wouldn't let us play with any of our new toys or games or anything. She just gave us pizza and pop. Then popcorn later in the night and then she gave us some sparkling cider and then she let us yell happy New Year and made us go to bed"
"I'm sorry" Brooke says kissing his forehead
"What would you like to do today?"
"Play with all of my new toys!"
"Sounds great" Peyton says "Granps and Gran are leaving today so after they leave you can play with whatever you want"
"Ok" Sawyer says "But do they have to leave?"
"Yes" Anna says walking into the kitchen "We've been here a long time and we have to get home and grandpa ships out the day after tomorrow so I have to get his bags packed"
"I'm going to miss you" Sawyer says
"I'm going to miss you too, sweetheart" Anna says "You'll have to come visit me more than you usually do"
Sawyer looks at Peyton "Can we?"
"We'll try"
Anna looks at Peyton "No, you'll come"
Brooke laughs and Peyton gives her a dirty look.
"Ok, Anna, say your good byes Keith and Karen are ready to go"
Peyton and Brooke get up from the table.
"I can't believe it's already time for you to leave" Peyton says with a frown
"I'm going to miss you" Sawyer says wrapping his arms around his grandma's legs
"I'm going to miss you too, little man" Anna says
"I'm going to miss you too" Larry says and Sawyer walks over and gives him a hug too
"We're going to miss you all" Anna says with a tear in her eye
"Oh, mom" Peyton says "Don't cry. I'll take a long weekend in February and we'll come see you"
"Ok" Anna says
Brooke sighs "We could come for a short weekend in the middle of the month"
Anna smiles "That would be wonderful. Larry will be gone so the company would be greatly appreciated"
"Sounds great" Brooke says
The door opens "Are you two ready, yet?" Keith asks walking in
"Stop it" Karen says "They can take all the time they need"
"We're ready" Anna says
Everyone gives hugs good bye and promised they would visit soon. The four drive away leaving everyone standing there.
"I love my parents but I'm so glad to have my apartment back" Lucas says "My mother followed me around cleaning and straightening, it was annoying"
"It will be nice to be back to normal" Peyton says "What are you guys doing today?" she asks looking at Haley and Nathan
"Going home" Nathan says "And sleeping. We're so hungover"
Brooke laughs "Jamie can stay and play if he'd like"
"Can I, daddy, please?" Jamie says with a big smile on his face
"Sure" Nathan says
"Thanks" Haley says "We'll come get him later?"
"He can stay the night" Brooke says "We don't have any plans"
"You are my hero!" Nathan says hugging Brooke
Brooke laughs.
"Come on Hales let's get out of here before they change their minds"
"Thanks you guys" Haley says hugging Jamie "Be good"
"I will, I promise" Jamie says "We're going to play games and have lots of fun"
Haley laughs "I love you"
"I love you too" Jamie says "Bye"
Nathan hugs him and then Haley and Nathan leave.
"So what do you guys want to do first?" Brooke asks
"Play" Sawyer says
"Ok" Peyton says "Lucas, what are you guys doing?"
"No offense but I think we're going to spend the day alone together." Lucas says grabbing Rachel and pulling her closer
"That's cool" Peyton says
"We've had a lot of family time" Lucas says
"That we have" Peyton says
"Not that that's a bad thing" Rachel says
"No, but it would be nice to have some alone time"
Brooke smiles at Peyton "Yes, it is nice"
"We're going to head out" Lucas says
"Dinner Tuesday?" Brooke says "Peyton's going back to work so things will be normal meaning dinner at 6"
"Sounds good to me" Lucas says
"Rachel, you're welcome too" Peyton says
"I'll let you know" she says smiling "I have a ton of work to do for the rest of the season and they were nice enough to let me have the time off but I have to hit the new year running"
"Well, let us know then" Peyton says smiling
"Come on mommy" Sawyer says "We want to go play"
"Ok, baby" Peyton says "See you guys later" she says picking up Sawyer.
"Bye" Lucas and Rachel say
Jamie looks at Brooke
"Would you like a ride, buddy?"
Jamie gets a huge smile on his face.
"Come on" she says picking him up
The two women carry the children into the building and they head up in the elevator. When they reach their penthouse the two boys take off to Sawyer's room. Brooke heads into the kitchen and Peyton follows her. They start clean up.
"It's so quiet already" Peyton says
"It sure is" Brooke offers.
The two work on the kitchen and after a few minutes Brooke sighs.
"What is it?" Peyton asks
"Nothing, why?" Brooke replies
"Because I know you and something's bothering you"
"It's nothing" Brooke says again
"Ok" Peyton answers "But if you change your mind and want to talk about it you know I'm here for you"
"I know"
"Ok"
The two go back to work and finish cleaning the kitchen. Brooke gets a cup of coffee and heads into the living room. Peyton follows her but stops at the doorway.
"Don't be mad" Peyton says
Brooke looks up at her "Why would I be mad?"
"Because I need to go and do some work"
"At the office?"
"No" Peyton sighs "I have some MP3s I need to listen too. They're on my iPad. I figured I could do it here"
"Oh, ok" Brooke says
Peyton looks at her "Are you mad?"
"No" Brooke says "I have some things I'd like to do so go ahead and work on whatever need to do"
"Are you sure?"
"Yep" Brooke says getting up and walking out of the room
Peyton knew something was bothering Brooke. She just wished Brooke would talk to her. Peyton sits with her iPad and earbuds listening to MP3s when Sawyer comes running out of his room.
"Mommy!" he shouts
Peyton removes her eyebuds "What's wrong?"
"Ralphie went potty on the floor in my bedroom"
"Ug" Peyton says
"What did he do?"
"Peed" Sawyer says
"Ok, I'm coming" she says getting up and walking into the kitchen. She grabs the cleaner from under the sink and heads down the hallway. As she walks pass her bedroom door, Brooke catches her eye. She was sitting on the bed with her laptop looking very seriously at something. Peyton walks into the room.
"What are you doing?" She asks startling Brooke who closes the laptop.
"Nothing" Brooke says "Just looking at some things on the internet"
"Oh" Peyton says
Brooke looks at her "What's with the cleaner?"
"Ralphie"
"Ug" Brooke says "He sure does make a lot of messes"
"Yes, he does"
Brooke gets off the bed and heads towards Peyton "I can clean it up"
"It's no big deal" Peyton replies "I can do it"
"Ok" Brooke says "I was thinking about running out any way for a little bite"
Peyton looks at her funny "For what?"
"Well more puppy training pads for one and some other things"
"I can just call the grocery store and have the things you need delivered"
"I know but you're busy working anyway and I'd like to go for a walk"
Peyton sighs "Ok, Brooke, what happened between waking up this morning happy and in each other's arms to right now?"
"Nothing" Brooke sighs "Do you need anything from the store?"
"No" Peyton says
"Ok" Brooke replies "I'll see you when I get back" she adds walking out of the room.
Peyton stands there and watches Brooke leave their room and then listens and the apartment door closes. Sawyer walks into the room.
"Where did Brooke go?"
"The store" Peyton says
"Oh" Sawyer answers "Are you going to come clean up Raphie's mess?"
Peyton smiles "Yes, I'm coming"
Peyton walks out of the room and into Sawyer's room where Jamie is playing with Raphie. She cleans up the wet spot on the floor and then goes back to the living room. She settles onto the couch and picks up her iPad. It then dawns on her. The minute the house is quiet she went right back to work. Just what Brooke was afraid of. No wonder she was acting different. Peyton shakes her head. She can be such an idiot sometimes. She gets up off the couch and walks back into the bedroom. She picks up the laptop and opens it. She looks at the screen. She gasps at what she sees and closes it quickly. She opens it again slowly and reads what was there. Tears stream down her face. She sighs slowly and closes the computer again. She then walks out into the kitchen and pours herself a glass of wine. She's sitting in the living room curled up on the couch when Brooke returns.
"Hey" Peyton yells when she hears the apartment door open
"Hey" Brooke says walking into the living room "How's work going?" she asks noticing the half empty bottle sitting on the table
"I put it away"
"I see" Brooke says
"So did you get everything you needed at the store?"
"Yeah" Brooke says walking into the kitchen. She unloads the food items she bought and then heads down the hallway to their bedroom. Peyton follows her.
"Brooke" Peyton says
"Yeah" Brooke says turning around looking at Peyton
"We need to talk"
"Ok" Brooke says
"I know why you're acting weird"
"I'm not acting weird"
"Yes, you are" Peyton says "You'll barely talk to me"
"I'm sorry"
"No, I'm sorry" Peyton says "I did the one thing you were worried about"
"What's that?" Brooke says
"Everyone leaves and I went right back to work. I didn't even let the quietness set in and I had my iPad out and my earbuds in. I'm so sorry"
Brooke smiles
"There's that pretty smile I love"
"You promised"
"I know" Peyton says "And that's why I'm sorry"
"I don't want to seem like the whiny girlfriend but…"
"But you're the whiny girlfriend?"
Brooke laughs "Sort of"
Peyton walks over and hugs her "it's so hard for me to balance everything"
"I realize that" Brooke says "But it's not fair to Sawyer and if we're going to have a baby it's not fair to him or her either. You're going to have to balance your life a little better."
"I know"
"You might even have to trust some of those people that work for you to handle some of your work load"
Peyton sighs "That's going to be hard"
"I supposed it will be"
"I'll work on it, though"
"Ok" Brooke says
"Are you still mad at me?"
"I wasn't mad at you" Brooke says
"So are we ok?"
"Of course" Brooke says
"Good" Peyton says "What would you like to do for the rest of the day?"
"I don't care" Brooke says "As long as we do it together"
"Too bad the boys are here!" Peyton says with a devilish smile on her face
"Well they'll go to be eventually" Brooke says kissing Peyton.
Peyton kisses her back and then her eye spots the laptop again. She pulls away.
"What?" Brooke says
"Can I ask you something?"
"You can ask me anything" Brooke replies walking over and sitting on their bed
"What was Emma talking about last night?"
Brooke sighs "Come on, Peyt" she answers "Does it really matter?"
"I don't know" Peyton says walking over and opening the laptop "You tell me?"
"You were snooping on my computer?"
Peyton sighs "Well that's not just your computer, Brooke, and I was wondering what you were looking at when I came in earlier"
"So you were snooping"
"Brooke" she says "Talk to me"
"There's nothing to talk about"
"Then what's this?" Peyton asks turning the screen towards Brooke
"It's nothing"
"Really?" Peyton says "It doesn't look like nothing"
"It happened a long time ago and it doesn't really matter now"
"If it doesn't matter then why were you looking at it?"
Brooke gets up and heads towards the door
"So you're just going to walk away from me?"
Brooke turns and looks at Peyton "I think it's best right now" she says turning and walking out of the room.
Peyton sighs again. She shakes her head. She then gets up and walks out of the room. She hears Brooke slamming doors in the kitchen and walks out there.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm going to make lunch" Brooke says not turning to look at Peyton
"We could take the boys out"
"I don't feel like going out but if you want to take them go ahead"
Peyton sighs "Brooke, look at me"
Brooke turns around and glares at Peyton.
"I want to talk about it"
"Why?" Brooke says "It has no impact on our lives"
"That's not true" Peyton says "It could have a huge impact down the road"
"Well I don't want to talk to you about it so either let it go or..."
"Or what?" Peyton says angrily "You'll just walk out on me… on Sawyer?"
Brooke glares at her "I would never walk out on Sawyer!"
"But you'd walk out on me?"
Brooke turns back around and the apartment door opens.
"Hello" Lucas yells from the entrance way
"You better go see what he wants!" Brooke whispers as she turns back around.
Peyton walks out of the room and into the foyer.
"Hey" she says forcing a smile "I thought you and Rachel were going to spend the day alone together"
"We are" Lucas says "We're making lasagna for dinner and I don't have any garlic and was wondering if I could borrow some"
"Sure" Peyton says walking towards the kitchen
"Hey, Brooke" Lucas says smiling
"Hey" Brooke says without turning to look at her
Lucas could tell something was going on. Peyton opens the fridge door and pulls out a clove of garlic. She hands it to Lucas.
"Here you go"
"Thanks" Lucas says "I guess I'll see you guys later"
"Bye Lucas" Brooke says
Lucas walks out of the apartment and back into his. He walks into the kitchen and hands Rachel to garlic.
"Thanks baby" She says smiling
"No problem" Lucas says "But next time you get to go over if we need to borrow anything else"
"Why?" Rachel asks looking at him
"Something's going on over there"
"Like what?" Rachel says "Were they going at it on the couch or something and you walked in?"
"No" Lucas replies "I think they're fighting"
"What?" Rachel says surprised "Those two. After the night they had last night there is no way they're fighting"
"They're fighting alright"
Rachel sighs "Luke, come on. They were so happy and in love this morning"
"Well something happened between when we left them and right now. Go over and see for yourself"
"Ok, I will" Rachel says walking out of the kitchen and out of the apartment. She walks over and opens Peyton and Brooke's door slowly
"Brooke you need to talk to me about it!"
Rachel hears the cupboard door slam.
"Brooke!" Peyton says harshly again
"Peyton, I'm warning you." Brooke shouts "You do not want to push me on this"
Rachel quickly shuts the door and walks back over to Lucas'.
"Well?" He says as she walks into the kitchen "Yeah, I'd say they are fighting"
"Should we do something?"
"No" Rachel says "I think I know what they're fighting about and I told Peyton last night not to push Brooke on it and I don't think she listened"
"What are you talking about?"
"I guess Emma cornered Peyton in the bathroom last night and told her to ask Brooke why she left her"
"And?" Lucas asks
"It's not a good story, Luke, and I don't think I should tell you about it"
"Ok" Lucas says looking confused
"It changed Brooke's life and it caused her a lot of strife and I warned Peyton to let Brooke tell her in her own time because it could push Brooke into a place that no one would be able to bring her back from"
"I'm going over there"
"I wouldn't"
"I don't want either of them to do something they can't fix"
"Ok" Rachel says "But stay out of it"
"I will" Lucas says walking out of the apartment
He walks into Peyton and Brooke's place and he hears them talking.
"Hey again" He says walking into the kitchen where the two women were standing
"What Lucas?" Peyton says turning around snapping at him
"Excuse me" Brooke says walking out of the room with two plates in her hand
Lucas looks at Peyton "What's going on here?"
"She's keep something from me!" Peyton says
"Peyt" Lucas says "Maybe she's keeping it from you to protect herself"
"What in the hell are you talking about?" Peyton snaps again
"When I went back home I told Rachel I thought you two were fighting and she told me she thought she knew what it was about"
"Oh really?" Peyton says "So what are we fighting about?"
"Rachel wouldn't tell me she just said that you shouldn't push Brooke about it."
"Well I already know what it is!" Peyton says "She just won't talk to me about it!"
"She must have her reasons"
"So did you come over here to take Brooke's side in all of this?"
"No, I came over to get you to back off because Rachel's worried that if you push Brooke it will drive Brooke to a place that no one will be able to bring her back from"
"Well I already know what she's hiding I just want her to talk to me about it"
"How do you know?"
"It doesn't matter"
"I'm warning you" Lucas says "Don't push her"
"Go home, Lucas!"
Lucas sighs and walks out of the door. Peyton shakes her head and then sits down on a stood. Sawyer walks out and sees her sitting there.
"What's wrong, mommy?" He says and Peyton looks up
"Nothing, baby" she answers "I thought Brooke brought you some lunch"
"She did" Sawyer says "I came to get some milk"
"Where did Brooke go?" Peyton asks
"She's in your room"
"Ok, thank you" Peyton says getting up and getting Sawyer some milk. She walks out of the room and down the hallway. She throws open the bedroom door and then slams it behind her. Brooke is sitting on the bed with the computer again. Peyton walks over and grabs it out of her hand. She throws it across the room. Brooke looks at her.
"What in the hell are you doing?" Brooke says
"We are going to talk about this and we're going to talk about it now!"
"Excuse me?" Brooke says
"Well Lucas just came over here and told me that I better not push you but the way I see it is if we don't talk about this there isn't any way we can move on so either we talk about it now or…"
"Oh now you're threatening me?"
"I'm not threatening you, Brooke" Peyton snaps "I read the article. I know you were raped, beaten within an inch of your life and I also read that obituary so I don't need to threaten you. You either open up and talk to me about it or…"
"Or what Peyton?" Brooke says with tears streaming down her face "You'll kick me out? You'll break up with me? What? Bring it on!"
"Brooke, all I want you to do is talk to me!"
"I don't want to talk to you!"
"Brooke"
"No, Peyton!" Brooke says "I was happy, I was two weeks from my due date and some jackass attached me. He raped me and then tried to kill me in his quest to do that he caused me to go into labor. I laid in the alley for 7 hours before someone found me. My daughter was dead. She couldn't make it. The first time I held my daughter she was dead! I had to bury her because she was a full term baby and to top it all off my girlfriend couldn't handle it and walked out on me. Is that what you wanted to hear? Is that what you want to talk about?"
"Brooke" Peyton says "That's horrible and yes I want to talk about it. I want you to share with me and confide in me. We can't keep things from each other."
"It is none of your business!" Brooke shouts
"None of my business?" Peyton laughs "We're talking about having a baby. You're telling me you'd be able to get pregnant and none of that would have come back? You'll be able to just put it out of your mind?"
"I don't know, Peyton" Brooke says "I was going to try"
Peyton shakes her head and there's a little knock on the door.
"Mommy, Momma Brooke"
Brooke quickly wipes her eyes and walks over to the door.
"What's up little man?" she says forcing a smile on her face
"Jamie and I were wondering if you'd come play with us?"
"Sure" Brooke says "Can you just give us a minute?"
"Ok" Sawyer says smiling and running down the hallway
Brooke turns and looks at Peyton with hatred in her eyes "You get to tell him why I left!"
"So you're just going to leave again?" Peyton says "Just going to be like Emma when the going gets tough you get going?"
"How did this happen? How did our perfectly wonderful day get turned into this horrible nightmare?" Brooke says
"I don't know" Peyton says
"Mommy, Momma Brooke!" Sawyer screams from the living room "We're waiting for you"
"Let's just go spend the rest of the day with the boys"
"Then what? You're going to tuck Sawyer in and then leave him?"
"You've pushed enough today, Peyton" Brooke hisses "If I were you I'd just leave me alone"
"Fine" Peyton says
Both women walk out into the living room to play with Sawyer and Jamie. Peyton had no idea what in the world really happened but she knew that Rachel warned her and she didn't listen. She should have listened. The rest of the day Brooke wouldn't even look at her. She knew that the stillness of the night wouldn't bring good things for them. She was pretty sure she just pushed away the best thing in her life.