A/N: I am SO sorry for leaving you all for so long. I took a break from this story because I lost inspiration and wasn't sure of where the storyline was going anymore – my intention was to only take a break for a few weeks, not a few years …

I was contemplating just skipping a few years and kind of doing flashbacks to bring the story together, but I already had this chapter half-written so I am just going to continue from where we left off in Ch 22 and wrap this story up for you guys :)

RECAP:

Julian and Brooke:

Their communication has been struggling while doing long-distance. There's been a lot of rumours swirling about Julian and Alex, which is making Brooke insecure in their relationship. Brooke's been further throwing herself into her work as a result. Julian made a sweet Instagram post dedicated to Brooke – kind of a love note for the entire world to see. Will it be enough?

Peyton and Lucas:

Still preparing for the arrival of their first child, Peyton's been put on bed rest with a strict warning to avoid too much stress. Lucas has made it clear to Lindsey that he's with Peyton, and that there is no future between them – but Lindsey seems to have other plans up her sleeve …

Nathan and Haley:

The two have been going back-and-forth between Tree Hill and Los Angeles, enjoying the 'honeymoon period' of their relationship. Haley came to LA to watch Nathan play in his finals game, where he injured his knee scoring the game-winning point.

Apologies for any spelling/grammar mistakes! It's quite late over here and I haven't really proofread this properly lol

Enjoy!

July 25th, 2012

Haley paced the length of the waiting room as she waited for the doctor to come out. it was nearing 1am. Nathan had been taken straight in to see the doctor, and Haley was forced to wait outside while they checked him since she wasn't family.

Nathan's pained face was all she could see, the look of complete agony that overcame him the moment the paramedics touched his purple knee when they were riding in the ambulance. Haley's phone rang, offering her a moment of distraction.

"Lucas." She answered.

"Any news yet?" Lucas asked.

Haley shook her head "The doctors are still in with him, I haven't been able to see him."

"It's been over an hour since he was admitted. What the hell is taking so long!?" Lucas exclaimed.

"I don't know Luke. I'm not family, they're not telling me anything here." Haley's voice began to rise, and Lucas could hear her panic.

"Do you want me to come there? I'm at the airport in New York right now, I can change my flight."

"No, I'm fine." Haley sniffles "Peyton needs you at home."

"He's my brother Haley, and you're my best friend. She'll understand." Lucas urges.

"It's play Lucas, I'll be fine. You take care of your wife; I'll take care of your brother. I promise."

"… Okay. Call me if you need anything though. I'll see what I can do on my end about getting you in to see Nathan."

Haley felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around coming face to face with the doctor she had seen attending to Nathan when they first arrived "The doctor's here Lucas, I'll call you back."

"That's fine, my flight takes off soon anyways. He's going to be okay Haley."

"I hope so." She says hanging up and bringing her attention to the doctor.

"I'm Doctor Rheese." The elderly man says, extending his hand out "I'm the doctor assigned to Mr Scott's case."

"Haley James. I'm his girlfriend." She replies, shaking his hand.

Dr Rheese smiles "I know. You're all over the news at the moment. And Nathan wouldn't stop saying your name from the moment we took him into an exam room."

"How is he doing?" Haley asks, ignoring the doctor's comment. She had already seen the news. She didn't want to focus on their gossip at the moment.

"He's stable. We've given him some medicine to help him with the pain, and we've taken him for x-rays and scans. I believe it's a tear to his anterior cruciate ligament, more commonly known as the ACL. We're waiting for the scans to come back before we can confirm that diagnosis. We've also checked his spine and shoulder, given his previous injuries. Just to be sure that the fall hasn't does any damage to those areas."

Haley looks confused "His previous injuries?"

Dr Rheese nods "He was in an accident when he was 17, his car flipped on a racetrack and he suffered minor damages to his spine."

"I know that one, it was during our summer break. What about his shoulder?" Haley presses.

"Nathan was playing in a charity slamball competition a few years back. One of the other teams' players had a bit of a rivalry with him when they were both starting out in the NBA, and when their team lost, he took it out on Nathan. I'll let Nathan fill you in on all those details later." The doctor says.

"Is he okay?"

"Everything seems fine, but we're going to monitor his spine and shoulder while he's here just to make sure we're not missing anything." The doctor assures "Sometimes injuries can take a few hours, or even days, to fully show up. We're just covering all our bases."

"Okay. Good." Haley sighs "Can I see him?"

Dr Rheese smiles sadly "I'm sorry, he's still getting some scans done. We can't take you in to see him just yet."

"Oh. Okay…"

"I promise, as soon as we put him in a room, I'll come find you." Dr Rheese squeezes her shoulder "Try not to worry too much, Miss James. Nathan's got the best care in this hospital that we can possibly provide him."

It was approaching 5am when Haley was awoken, the doctor shaking her shoulder gently. She shot up frantically, looking around for any sign of her boyfriend.

"He's okay." Doctor Rheese said, as if reading her mind "We've moved him to a room. He's asking for you."

Haley follows the doctor down the quiet hallway, each nurse giving her a smile as she passes them. They all recognise who she is now – her face has been splashed across television screens and magazines everywhere in the last few hours. Her and Nathan's private little romance bubble had officially burst.

Doctor Rheese stops in front of room 401, giving Haley a reassuring smile, "Visiting hours are over, but Nathan's brother called to ensure that you would be allowed in to see him. I've told the night nurse not to kick you out, but if anyone else questions it; you're Nathan's wife."

Haley glances at him appreciatively "Thank you doctor."

The doctor nods in reply and leaves her be. Haley takes a few deep breaths, trying to swallow the lump in her throat as she opens the door. Nathan lays in a white hospital gown, his right leg was bandaged from his ankle to midway up his thigh and propped up in a sling so it stayed elevated.

"Hi Hales."

Blue eyes met hazel and Haley felt her heart break at the harrowed look Nathan tried to hide behind his tired smile. He was a shell of himself – so far removed from the spirited man she had watched scoring the championship-winning point nearly nine hours ago.

"C'mere sweets." he croaks, holding out his hand weakly.

Haley rushes to his side, carefully hugging him tight as she cried against his shoulder. Nathan brought his free arm across to hold her as best he could, his other pinned under her body leaning over him. His hand stroked the back of her head as she wailed, "I was so worried."

"I know." he said softly.

"Are you okay?" she sniffles.

"Hmm, better now." he murmurs.

Haley pulls back and grabs the chair from the corner of his room, scraping it along the floor so she can sit right beside him. Her hands clasp his tightly as she surveys his injured body, "How are you feeling?"

"Like shit." Nathan chuckles, "Doc said it's not as bad as it first looked, so I guess that's something."

"I'm so sorry, baby." Haley squeezes his hand "Do you need me to call someone? Can I get you anything?"

Nathan shakes his head, "Just you. I-I'm really glad you're here."

Haley manages a small smile, "I'm not going anywhere."

July 26th, 2012

By the time Lucas gets home from the airport, it's nearing ten in the morning. He had ended up switching flights to visit Nathan for a night before taking a flight home. Seeing Nathan awake – and relatively okay, given the circumstances – before he got on his flight home yesterday evening was a weight off his shoulders. He now felt more assured in his decision to return home to his wife instead of staying at his brother's bedside – Nathan had Haley with him and they'd promised to call if they needed his help and to let him know what the doctors had to say once they had come up with a rehabilitation plan.

Opening the door, Lucas was taken by surprised as he stepped inside and quickly dropped his bags to catch the tiny human launching herself into his arms.

"Lukey!" Jenny Jagielski cheered as Lucas swooped her up and settled the little girl on his hip, smiling brightly down at Jake's daughter.

"Hey kiddo, this is a nice surprise."

"We came to help Auntie Peyton. Daddy said she couldn't play with me at the studio because there's a baby in her belly." the six-year-old explained.

Lucas smiled wider. Peyton was now fifteen weeks pregnant, firmly in her second trimester, and they could officially start telling their friends and family about the impending arrival of their daughter.

"Yeah, there is. And she and the baby have to get a lot of rest so they can grow big and strong." Lucas bopped her nose as he walked down the hallway in search of his wife and friend.

"How come there's a baby in Peyton's belly?" Jenny asks.

Luke nearly trips at her words, "Uh- well- you know, maybe you should ask your Dad. He's super smart, I'm sure he's got an answer."

"Daddy says it's what happens when two people are married. But he's not married, and he has me!" Jenny exclaims.

"That's true."

"Do you think I'll get married, Lukey?" Jenny suddenly asks.

Lucas chuckles "I'm sure one day you will. Not too soon though, your poor Dad's going to have a heart attack otherwise."

Jenny giggles and Lucas sets her down as they walk into the main bedroom to find Jake laying on his and Peyton's bed, his wife seated between the man's legs with a relaxed look on her face as Jake's hands rub up and down her back.

"Wow, I'm gone not one week and you've already found a replacement for me?"

"Well maybe if you were here massaging the knots out of my back instead of in New York with-"

"Peyt, come on." Lucas groans.

Peyton smiles, standing and walking towards Lucas and wrapping her arms around his waist. He leans down and she gives him a quick kiss, smiling up at him once more "I'm just teasing. No need to get jealous, Jake's just got better hands than you do."

Lucas scoffs, looking over Peyton's shoulder to glare at their friend "Man, go get your own wife."

"Sorry," Jake smirks, not looking sorry in the slightest "I can't help it if my hands are-"

"Okay, you know what? I don't want to hear anymore more." Lucas rolls his eyes, Jake and Peyton laughing at his annoyance, "Don't you have somewhere else to be, Jagielski?"

Jake nods, still laughing as he takes his daughter's hand, "Come on Jenny, we got to go see Mia at the studio. Say bye to Luke and Peyton."

"Bye Auntie Peyton. Bye Lukey!" Jenny giggles as she waves at the blonde man, Lucas blowing the girl a kiss.

"Bye angel-cakes." He smiles wider at the blush that covers her little cheeks as she runs out of the door ahead of her father.

"Aww, she's got a little crush on you babe." Peyton teases.

"Lord help me," Jake sighs "At this rate she'll be coming home next week with a boyfriend."

"Hey, at least you know she's got good taste." Lucas winks.

"Bye Lucas," Jake glares at his friend, turning to look at Peyton "Bye Peyt, feel free to call me whenever you need my hands."

"Oh, you bet I will." Peyton winks as he walks out the door, turning to look at her husband.

"It's not funny when you do it." Lucas whines.

"Oh, but it's funny when you're making winky faces at a six-year-old?"

"That's different! I never slept with her!" Peyton scrunches up her face and Lucas grimaces, "Ew. You know what I meant."

"Please, Jake and I dated when we were sixteen. Don't act like it still bothers you."

Lucas just pouts in response and Peyton shakes her head, sitting back down on the bed and flipping through the photo options Jake had brought over for Mia's new album cover. Lucas lay down beside her, his hand instantly finding its way to her baby bump.

"Anyways, how are my girls doing?" he asks.

"This girl is tired," Peyton points to herself, before indicating to her stomach "because this girl decided to keep her mama up half the night playing soccer with her bladder. I'm surprised I'm still hydrated enough to pee anything at all."

"That's no fun. I'm sorry." Lucas says, kissing her arm.

Peyton shrugs, resting her hand atop his on her stomach "I complain but, honestly? I'll take every sleepless, marathon pee night in the world for this kid. Before I found out we were pregnant, I was kind of beginning to think I would never get here. It's nice, after all this time."

Lucas smiles up at her, "It's everything after all this time."

Peyton looks at him nervously, "So, uh, how was it?"

"As good as it could've gone, I guess." Lucas shrugs, "I made it very clear to her that I am not interested in her, and she said she understands. She promised to back off."

"Something tells me it's not going to be that simple, Lucas."

"It doesn't matter – you and our daughter are my top priority. I'm sorry I haven't always been the best about that, but from here on out it's you and me and baby against the world. I'm gonna keep you safe, Peyton. I promise."

Peyton nods in agreement and leans down to kiss her husband, trying to ignore that doubtful voice gnawing inside her head.

July 27th, 2012

Brooke lay peacefully in bed, her body tucked in a ball under the covers. She had been up until 3am waiting for Julian to call her, but he never did. So, she had sat in her office, working on designs for her summer line while she waited for him. Various social media platforms had posted photos of him out with the cast and crew at dinner, followed by drinks at a local club. As soon as the photos had popped up on her Instagram feed, she realised he had no intention of calling her tonight and went straight to bed.

She refused to open her eyes, not wanting to face reality. Brooke had been feeling sick the last few days – the gnawing in her stomach persistent. It had barely been a week since Julian's Instagram post, and she was already feeling like they were pulling away from one another again. It felt like they were completely out of sync with each other, and she was beginning to wonder how long their relationship could survive at this distance; both physical and emotional.

She heard movement from her front door and groaned softly, knowing Haley was going to be dropping by today. The footsteps grew louder as high-heels tapped against her hardwood floors making their way into her bedroom.

Brooke heard the curtains being pulled open before her covers were pulled from atop her head, her face coming directly in contact with the glaring sun streaming in from her windows. Brooke sat up and opened her eyes to look at the person responsible, only to close them again and flop back down on her bed.

"Ugh, my eyes!" She yelled.

"It's not that bright, dear."

"It's not the sun, it's your face!" Brooke groaned.

"I've been here not two minutes and already with your dramatics. I thought I raised you better than this, Brooke." Victoria rolled her eyes at her daughter.

"Raised me? Oh please! You skipped town the second puberty hit." Brooke scoffs, pulling her blanket back over her head.

Victoria stepped forward, taking the blanket in her hand and tossing it off Brooke so it fell to the floor.

"What the hell!?" Brooke exclaims, standing up to face her mother "I am trying to rest."

"It's 11.30 in the morning on a Wednesday. We have a business to run, and it seems to me that I'm the only one doing any kind of work at the moment."

"I've been working, mother. The summer line is almost complete."

Victoria walks out of the room, coming back a few minutes later, Brooke's sketches in hand "You call this a summer line? This is not COB worthy, at all. We have an image to maintain Brooke, do you remember that? Or are you too distracted with your flavour of the month."

Brooke glares at the older woman "Julian is not a 'flavour of the month', nor is he a distraction of any kind. I will tell you exactly what I told Millicent today when I told her I wouldn't be available; I am not feeling well. I don't care what you came here for, but I am not working today."

"Yes, your lack of care is evident." Victoria said eyeing the dark circles that graced her daughter's pale skin "Honestly Brooke, it's like you don't give a damn about trying to maintain the reputation of this company."

"How dare you. I have done nothing the past three years except pour every ounce of time and energy I have into building my company!" Brooke yells.

"Well to tell you the truth dear, I am not impressed. This company has a real opportunity to thrive, to be a leader in the fashion industry. And you're too busy focusing on your cheating boyfriend to see that."

"Stop it. My relationship is none of your business. I will run my company the way I see fit, so you need to back off before you push me too far." Brooke warns.

"Idle threats do nothing for me Brooke." Victoria says with a wave of her hand "But make no mistake, I do not mess around." She says before pulling out an envelope from her handbag and placing it on the bed.

Victoria begins to walk back to the front door as Brooke opens the envelope, her mouth dropping open in shock as she sees the paperwork. Brooke runs out of her room, catching her mother before she opens the door.

"You're trying to have me removed from my own company? Who the fuck do you think you are!?" Brooke yells.

"I'm doing what needs to be done to protect this company. I've entertained your silly little fairy tale life down here for long enough, but now it's time you come back to New York where you belong." Victoria says "There's a boarding pass in that envelope. If you're not sitting next to me in First Class tomorrow morning when that plane takes off, I will be calling a meeting and demanding your immediate termination."

"You're my mother." Brooke whispers, her voice pained "How can you do this?"

"This is business, dear. And if you had been smart enough to focus on your education instead of Lucas Scott when you were growing up, maybe you would've had a better grasp on how exactly to run a business. I will not let you ruin this company. I have worked far too hard to let you destroy everything I have built."

"You built!?" Brooke scoffs, "I am the one who built this company from the ground up. I spent every day going to different investors, begging them to look at my plans. I am the one who created this brand. Clothes over Bros is nothing without me, I know it, you know it, and the board is going to know it too."

Victoria shrugs "You're not the one who spins the straw into gold, Brooke. Anyone can draw a silly little dress and come Monday morning that will be the only thing that the board sees. Unless you come back to New York and stop pretending like this life you have here is anything more than the farce it has clearly become."

And with that Victoria leaves, Brooke watching completely shell-shocked as she goes. She races back into her bedroom, pulling her phone off her nightstand and frantically calling Julian. She's spiralling. She's going to lose everything, and she needs help – she needs him to calm her down and help her figure out how to handle this.

"Hi, you've reached Julian Baker-"

Brooke screams, throwing her phone against the wall as she drops to her knees. Tears begin to fall down her face, the weight in her heart feeling more immense than it ever has before. For the first time in a long time, she feels completely and utterly alone in all of this.

A/N: updates will be coming in a bit slow as I get reacquainted with these characters, but I will not be leaving this story unfinished – that is a promise!

I have started another Naley story called 'The Game of Love' if you'd like to check that out too!

Please leave a review and let me know what you think :)