Disclaimer: still don't own OTH, the characters, anything really

Hi, this chapter is short and light, just a little fluffy filler. I hope you all enjoy this. Thank you for your views and words.

Chapter Forty-Two

There was a slight smile curling up the corners of her lips, Lucas watched as Brooke carefully reapplied her lipstick and smoothed a stray strand of hair back in place. As Lucas sat on the edge of the bed putting on his own socks, Brooke added her earrings, before she stood still just staring at her reflection aimlessly in the mirror that still smile still there.

It didn't reach her eyes, a shadow over her face, and though Lucas knew it would fool most people he could see the sadness underneath. Once his shoes were slipped on Lucas walked up behind Brooke, meeting her eyes in the mirror he wrapped his arms around her from behind and she sank into him, "hey" he whispered.

"Hi"

"How you feeling?"

Her lashes dropped, "I'm fine"

Lucas sighed, "it's okay if you're a little emotional, if you're not completely fine. It's been a big few weeks"

"I'm fine" Brooke repeated though she turned in his arms and wrapped her arms around his waist as well, her smile lifted a little.

For a moment Lucas stared into her hazel eyes, then he kissed her lips quickly, "I don't know. I thought maybe with everything going on with Noah and then Harry returning home, and now Sam's graduating and going off to college-"

"It's just… it feels like yesterday she was stealing my ID and now she's moving to another state" there was the slightest whine in Brooke's voice, "my little girl is gone"

Lucas thought Brooke's expression was adorable, as if she was talking about a sweet toddler who fingerpainted and not a snarky teenager who trashed her store and made a habit of sneaking out.

"You will probably see Sam even more once she's in New York, especially as you are letting her stay in your apartment which I'm sure is not so you can check on her every time you stay there for business"

"It's the least I can do, having her somewhere safe and free, after all it's my fault she chose NYU in the first place, taking her there and having her fall in love with the stupid city"

"You love New York"

"Yes, and I love Tree Hill more" her eyes suddenly widened, "oh my god, Noah is going to graduate at like thirteen and want to go to college and he will leave and probably move to New York or somewhere else equally as insanely far away-"

"Hey, hey, slow down. Noah is not going off to college any time soon, and you're still going to see Sam, we've got many more years of them annoying us in our future"

"Promise?"

Lucas kissed her again, "I promise", he stepped slightly back and rubbed her arms "and you look amazing by the way"

"Thanks" and her smile grew flirtatious, "I must say, I do love it when you wear a tie" and she tugged the object in question, then her brow kinked "maybe I prefer taking it off you"

"That will have to wait" Lucas kissed her one last time before stepping back, "we don't want to be late"

"I'm never late" she grinned, a little bit more at ease, and ignored the look Lucas sent to object to her statement, "I'll go check on Noah" and she darted off as Lucas watched her retreat from her room, a chuckle escaping as his eyes followed her.

When Brooke knocked on Noah's door she waited for the "come in" before opening it. Noah sat at his desk, ready in his dark blue blazer and trousers, with a pale button up, for a moment it took Brooke's breath away. Every day Noah grew more and more like his father in looks except for his darkening hair, there was no denying where their son came from.

Noah gave his guarded smile, "you look beautiful, Mom"

"Thanks, I was just thinking how handsome and like your father you look. You ready?"

"In a moment, I'll just save and exit this"

"Okay, just come down when you're ready" and she smiled as she shut the door behind her. Brooke stood there with her back to the closed door and took a deep breath. Guilt still plagued her, and a regret that never quite went away.

Despite Lucas' concerns, Brooke had been relieved when Harry went home. Not only did she recognise that it was a happy occasion for the little boy's family, and one she had always known was going to happen sooner than later, Brooke had also been happy to be able to focus solely on Noah and work more on their relationship that had previously been so secure.

They were attending therapy together and apart, and though Noah on the surface appeared to be over the fight and treating Brooke as warmly as he had before and doing his own best to repair the damage, Brooke could not get rid of the doubt and guilt.

When Noah smiled at her, hugged or said 'love you', Brooke wondered if that was what he really felt or if under the surface her son was bottling up negative emotions.

For Brooke, walking on eggshells was an understatement about the atmosphere within their home.

Despite her worries the three of them left in Lucas' car together appearing like any other happy family unit, and there was cheer when they met up with Rebecca and the rest of the Scott family.

Brooke could see Sam in her graduation gown, cap slightly crooked atop her head, her long dark brown hair loose and flowing down her back and over her shoulders. For a moment their dark eyes met and the teenager smiled, Brooke sent her a proud smile back.

And it was with pride and love Brooke watched as Sam's name was called and she made her way across the stage. Only a few years ago Sam had no one except her best friend Jack to cheer her on, now she had her birth mother, Brooke and the Scott family to embarrass her as they all excitedly cheered loudly.

Despite the blush Sam's smile was of pure happiness as she beamed at her family lined up in the crowd. When Jamie stood up on his chair and clapped enthusiastically Noah mirrored the action, though a little more subdued.

A stray tear fell from Brooke's eye, her emptions all over the place as she smiled at the happy scene in front of her, and when she caught Lucas watching her from the corner of her eye, Brooke turned to see him chuckling at her sweet tears.

"Shut up" Brooke rolled her eyes, brushed the tear away and kept grinning. Despite life not being perfect, life was good.

-x-

Rebecca's small house was comfortably full, with the Scott and Davis brood, as well as a couple of Rebecca's closest friends and her partner. By Sam's side Jack stayed glued and Brooke eyed the hand lightly resting on the teen girl's waist.

When Sam excused herself to get a drink, telling Jack to stay with Noah and Jamie, Brooke quickly followed, returning inside with the newly graduated girl, "well, well, well" Brooke teased, "forget to tell me something?"

"Nothing to tell" Sam blushed revealing the lie.

"Sure" Brooke grinned, "he's a good kid"

"I'm glad you noticed" Sam closed the fridge, she sighed, nervous eyes turned to her former foster mother, "Jack wants to come to New York with me"

"Wow. That's pretty big"

"I know. I know. And… I really want him to. To have Jack with me… it… it will make it all a little less scary, and he's already looking for a job… but is it crazy?" her eyes widened, "it's crazy, right? We're barely eighteen and… what if it doesn't work out?"

There was such hesitance in the young girl's brown eyes, though Brooke saw the hope and she remembered being young and in love, so Brooke smiled, "what if it does?" she touched Sam's shoulder, "what if you don't give it a go, you'll never know"

"I could screw things up with the best friend I ever had"

"Or you could start the best friendship and love story of your life. I can't believe I am saying this, but take the risk"

"Speaking from experience?"

"Yes" Brooke answered quickly, then she nudged the younger girl, bumping their shoulders together, "besides I would feel better knowing your not alone, that you have someone there for you every day"

Sam raised her brows, "are you reneging the no boys in the bedroom rule?"

With a sigh Brooke looked away, her tone teasing, "I guess for the right boy"

They leant against the counter, side by side, arms brushing, their dark eyes looking out the window, both content. Sam's smile widened, "first Lucas moves in with you and now you're letting me move in with my boyfriend-"

"Lucas didn't move in!" Brooke gasped, her face snapping to Sam.

Unable to help herself Sam snorted, "you're kidding, right?" she shook her head, "the dude lives with you!"

Brooke went to argue, her mouth hanging open as her mind went over the last few weeks, and the weeks before that, her eyes widened further and further as realisation dawned. Brooke quickly closed her mouth and Sam gave a loud laugh.

Finally, Brooke's shoulders relaxed, "you called Jack your boyfriend"

"Still the queen of denial"

"Still the princess of sass"

"Whatever old lady" Sam started to walk back outside to join the party, Brooke in step with her as they traded friendly insults.

Fifteen minutes later Brooke joined Haley at the buffet table, "Sam just said the craziest thing"

"Really?" Haley bit into a carrot.

"Yeah" Brooke lowered her voice and hissed, "she thinks Luke lives with me, like live lives with me, like he has moved into my house lives with me"

"Thanks for the clarification of what lives with means" Haley casually kept eating her carrot stick, walking down the buffet with a slightly agitated Brooke at her heels.

"You're welcome. It's totally crazy, why would she even think that?"

"Could be because Lucas spends more nights in your bed than even you" Haley shrugged, "maybe that's it"

"But we don't live together" Brooke insisted, "he doesn't even have a drawer, so it doesn't count"

Haley paused before the celery went to follow the now gone a carrot, "you haven't even given him a drawer at your place?"

"That would make it so… serious, official, official, I mean a drawer? Next thing he would be moving in and I am not ready for that…"

"Brooke" Haley laughed, "you share a son, spend every night you're in Tree Hill together, at your place, I may add, its already officially serious, and hate to break it to you but drawer or no drawer that boy definitely lives with you"

"God, you are no help" Brooke huffed off.

Haley bit the celery, "YOU'RE WELCOME!" she called out after her friend, humming as she continued on her way.

-x-

In the car home Lucas kept glancing at an unusually quiet Brooke, his girlfriend sat stiff in her spot her eyes glued forward out the window careful not to turn to him.

Once they were home Brooke practically jumped out of the car before Lucas even put the car in park in his usual space inside the garage. She opened Noah's door for him, with instructions to get ready for bed and seemingly glad when Noah said no to dessert and that he was tired and wanted to go straight to bed.

As they got ready for bed themselves, moving the various pillows to make room for themselves, Brooke finally started to look at Lucas. Her lip between her teeth Brooke kept glancing Lucas' way before looking away, finally Lucas laughed, "okay, what is it?"

"What is what?"

"You're acting weird"

"I am totally normal" she scoffed.

"Okay, weirder than usual"

Brooke threw back the duvet with a little more force than needed, and then she froze and looked at Lucas, letting go of her bottom lip and leaving it swollen and red, Brooke spoke in a rush "do you want a drawer?"

"A drawer?"

"Yes, you know, a drawer to put stuff in. Like clothes"

Lucas couldn't help but smile as he climbed into bed, "that would be nice, I mean, if you want to give me a drawer"

"Okay, then it's settled, tomorrow you get a drawer… maybe two, one for the bathroom too" she laid beside him and they naturally cuddled together.

After Lucas leant over to turn the light off, they remained in silence, the room too dark for Brooke to see the huge grin now on Lucas' face.

"Luke?" Brooke finally whispered.

"Yes?"

"Do we live together?" the question was barely more than a whisper.

For a moment Lucas couldn't speak, his brows furrowed then relaxed, his arm pulled Brooke closer, his voice when it came was soft and curious, "I… well… technically, I suppose it seems that way"

A heart beat later Brooke replied with a resigned sigh, "I'm not giving you half my closet but I guess I can do better than two drawers"

"We'll make it work" he licked his lips, "Just to be clear are we moving from technically to officially living together?"

"It seems that way" she echoed his earlier words, kissed his cheek and added, "but we should talk to Noah about it first, see how he feels about it"

"Okay" with a side smile Lucas could not help but turn on his side and pull Brooke further up against him, kissing her neck, "Brooke, I love you"

"I love you, too" it came easy, as natural as breathing as they settled down for the night exhausted, as they had for many nights before this one. Together.

-x-

Quiet, Noah sat at the table with his pale green eyes going from one parent to another, then he frowned as his eyes settled on his mother and Brooke almost sucked in her breath when Noah gave a confused, "you want to know how I would feel about Dad moving in with us here?"

Lucas nodded.

Noah's brow creased further, he stared at his dad next, "but… I thought you already had?"

A frustrated pout stole Brooke's expression and Lucas let out a loud short laugh, "I guess that's a yes then?"

"Well… yes" Noah rolled his eyes, he stood up, "can I go swimming now?"

"Sure" Lucas smiled.

Brooke smiled too, "just remember we're going shopping for Jamie's birthday before lunch"

"I remember" Noah was more enthusiastic as he left the meals area, eyeing his parents before leaving, "you two are so strange sometimes" he shook head and smiled before leaving the room.

Once they were alone Lucas chuckled again and Brooke glared at her now live in boyfriend, "it's not that funny"

"You didn't see your face!"

"I just think it's a bit presumptuous that everyone just assumed you had moved in"

"I wonder what gave them that impression" he only laughed louder.

Brooke pursed her lips, "watch it, buddy, I can still kick you out on the streets" she poked his chest and went to do so again when he caught her by the wrist and pressed a kiss to her hand again.

Instead of arguing over semantics Lucas wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed her lips this time. No words were needed after that.

-x-