***Disclaimer*** for creative purposes only, I claim no ownership of the fandom, characters and setting. I do own a baseball bat in case someone breaks in and I need to intimidate some losers, all 4ft9 of me.
Once again I'm not sure who I personally replied to with reviews, I had to send my laptop away to get fixed so it's been ages and I'm not sure who I replied to or not. So I will reply here anyway.
Thanks to Brucas, Diane, Callison, bjq and the guests. I am sorry your responses didn't get feedback sooner.
There were also some reviews that addressed the speed of my updates, look though a part of me is sorry I cannot always guarantee quick updates, life happens, I am an independent single and devoted mother, time is not always easy to find and when I don't have a working computer and my internet isn't working I have even less time to write. Yes I updated the last chapter in a week, I fought to put a lot of any free time I had to writing that chapter because the readers took the time to review and I like to stick to my word. All in all the better the response from you guys the better the response from me, that being said sometimes shit just happens and I can't update. Hopefully, gods I hope I haven't jinxed myself, my laptop will stay in good working order, my last two f'd it within a year I was literally in tears when my new one had issues again but I was lucky enough to quickly back everything up.
But here's my promise, if I get 20 reviews for a chapter within a week of it being posted I will then update by the end of the following week of that (meaning within a fortnight of the update) unless I physically cannot do so.
Chapter Ten
The keys jingled in the lock, the only sound in the quiet as Brooke opened the door. She stepped inside holding it open to let Noah and Lucas in, Noah's steps were slow and cautious, his crisp white polo was buttoned all the way and he wore navy pants, Brooke thought he looked severe in his clothes and it hit Brooke for a moment how out of place the boy looked in her house.
Lucas dropped all the luggage by the door, huffing as the weight left him, "home, sweet home" he smiled for Noah's benefit, "where do you want me to put all this?"
"Just leave it" she waved her hand nonchalantly and the closed the door before looking at Noah, "is it alright if I take some photos?"
Noah quietly nodded and Brooke told both of them to sit on the couch, when asked to smile the boy didn't open his mouth yet his dimples still came on show. Lucas held the phone out to capture the three of them together, Noah sitting between them with Brooke's and Lucas leaning towards him. Brooke quickly took a few snaps of Lucas with Noah and he returned the favour before Brooke asked Lucas to take one of her with him.
A grin split Brooke's face, deep dimples on show, it beamed and seemed even bigger next to Noah's more subdued smile. For a moment Lucas froze, unable to move as he stared at the image waiting to be taken on the phone. Shaking his mind back to the present Lucas quickly took a few photos before handing the phone back to Brooke.
"Thanks" she said taking the phone in hand, her eyes didn't even look at Lucas as she did so and Lucas' smile dropped.
"Hey Noah, what do you feel like? Chinese, pizza, burgers, pasta?" Brooke quickly asked, her attention solely on the boy, "I'll get it delivered while we settle in, maybe put your things away"
Watching them together Lucas felt apart from them, as if he was standing outside looking through the window instead of sitting right next to them. It was a strange and empty feeling, Lucas could acknowledge he was slightly jealous of the progress Brooke had made with Noah when their son still treated Lucas like a stranger in the background.
As his mind wandered Lucas missed the conversation between mother and son, the next thing he knew Brooke was repeating his name over and over again.
"Sorry?"
"I asked what toppings do you want?"
"I'm happy with whatever you two want"
"I might even let you have mushrooms" Brooke sauntered off to order dinner and Lucas asked Noah to help him take his bags into Noah's new bedroom.
Lucas was amazed at how much the room had changed, Brooke had done a fantastic job in such a short time of creating a fun and safe space for Noah and though it wasn't the typical little boy room Lucas could see Noah's eyes light up at all the small details.
Noah only had two suitcases, only half of one had clothes in it, Lucas went and collected the box left in the car with Noah's books inside.
Soon the three of them had finished placing the books in place and neatly folding the clothes away and Brooke and Noah went to have a shower while Lucas waited for the pizza delivery. Hearing the running water as he sat on the couch Lucas tapped his fingers against his knees trying to think of things to say o Noah when the boy came out.
Lucas didn't know if it was just the nerves that made him bumble so much in front of his son, the young boy had such knowing eyes yet he was mostly silent leaving Lucas to feel like he had to say something while the boy's eyes studied him so carefully.
-x-
Alone together in the kitchen Peyton sat on the counter top chewing on a carrot slice Haley had already cut while the other woman continued preparing dinner, brown eyes returning to the blonde every thirty seconds to check on Peyton.
Peyton gave a loud sigh, "it feels so weird being at home with Lucas so far away"
"You're welcome here anytime" Haley replied not giving anything away, only ten minutes earlier Brooke had texted Haley a single picture that had Haley jump on the spot, a picture of Brooke with Noah sitting on Brooke's couch and soon a small text followed. Everything went great, I'll tell you everything later. We're going to have dinner with Noah and then I'll pick Sam up, I want it to be a surprise xxx
"He hasn't even called me yet, I got a text yesterday saying everything was fine and that's it"
"He's distracted Peyton, once things settle down I'm sure he will get back to you"
Peyton didn't say anything, she gave another huff and Haley hid her smile knowing her friend was trying not to explode. Eventually Peyton spoke again, her eyes voiding Haley "has he been talking to you? It's just he doesn't like talking about it all with me"
"No" Haley carefully watched Peyton while she continued to peel and chop, "but I know he and Nathan have been talking a lot"
"That's good" though Peyton was nodding the downward expression on her face contradicted her words.
Haley placed the knife down, "do you think perhaps the reason Lucas doesn't want to talk to you about what is happening is because every time he looks at you no matter how cool and collected and supportive you are trying to be all he sees is the sad expression on your face"
"Is it that bad?"
Haley scoffed, "you look like someone killed your puppy and is dangling it in front of you and maybe that's not what Lucas needs" she quickly put the salad together before she continued "this is Lucas' son we are talking about-" Haley's words stopped when Peyton gave an audible scoff and Haley sent Peyton a look she had never seen her send anyone except Jamie when he was in trouble.
"Don't give me that look" Peyton defended herself.
"Somebody has to before you say or do something you will regret" Haley looked away shaking her head as she did so, moving around the kitchen while Peyton talked.
"I can't be the only one who questions it. Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon, this has devastated our lives and it will only devastate Lucas more to fall in love with this boy and then discover it's not his son" she kept her eyes on Haley, when she jumped off the counter Haley laid the plates on top instead.
The last plate rested on the counter with a clank, Haley looked Peyton right in the eye, her tone stern "the only one devastated is you" then her demeanour softened "I am not saying this to hurt you, Peyton. You're the only one thinking what if he isn't Luke's because as much as you wish that was true there's no reason Brooke would say he was if she wasn't sure, she has nothing to gain and everything to lose by claiming Noah is Luke's"
"I'm not saying she is lying but maybe Brooke is wrong"
After a few seconds Haley gave Peyton a pitying smile "she sent me a picture" and grabbed Peyton's hand "he looks just like Luke did when he was little. Noah is Lucas' son. An innocent little boy who is making Lucas happy even before Lucas came face to face with him, and yes its messy and complicated and there's more than just joy in this for Luke, Brooke and everyone, and I get this is not easy, least of all for you but Peyton in the grand scheme of things its just not about you" Haley tried to make the last part sound light hearted and she quickly winced before adding while she squeezed Peyton's hand "and don't get me wrong I want to be your friend in this too but you're successful, strong, in love, pregnant and getting marries, and none of that is changing. You are in a good place, Noah shouldn't take away from all the reasons you should be happy and I think it would be better if you focus on all those great things and remember every time you feel down about Noah coming here that he is a reason for happiness too, for a lot of people you love and he can be that for you as well"
Frustration filled Peyton, she snatched her hand away from Haley "I just don't feel happy. You think I want to feel like this?" raw emotion filled her voice, "I feel like everything I know has been turned upside down. I don't know my best friend anymore, Lucas feels like he is miles away even when he is standing across from me and everyone wants me to smile and act like this is normal. It's not normal. I am allowed to be angry, I am allowed to be upset and confused, I am allowed to ask questions. Nothing about this is normal"
"When has anything ever been normal around here?" Haley rolled her eyes, "Stalkers, kidnappers, teen pregnancies, it's all just another day here"
Peyton's mouth fell open in shock and then she gave a quick laugh, looking at Haley she laughed again.
"It's easier for you, it's not happening to you" Peyton defended herself once her laughter stopped, the smile left over was a little wry and sad.
"It could have been. Nathan was no saint before we got together, I'm surprised he hasn't gotten a knock on his door yet. I've thought about it, if things had been different hell it could have been Brooke or you making that knock"
"Thinking about it and going through it is very different, how would you really feel if Noah was Nathan's?"
"You're right but I don't think I'll be angry, I understand and feel for Brooke and Luke hasn't done anything wrong. Noah was conceived before you and Lucas were ever together, they were both so young and let's not forget the mess their break ups were with you in the middle of it. And he's this innocent little boy, I think we should all be grateful we get this second chance to be part of his life"
Peyton shook her head, she wasn't sure why she was angry, whether it was that Brooke had ever been pregnant in the first place or that Brooke had kept it a secret, "it's six years too late"
"Six years the three of you had to grow up and sort things out" Haley's tone was gentle but firm as she started to plate dinner, her eyes not meeting Peyton as they stayed on her own movements "sometimes I think it's a good thing Noah wasn't around for it all" she shook her head as she thought about it, "I wouldn't say that to them, they've missed so much of Noah's life but maybe it's something you need to think about" and with a smile Haley finished the last plate, "all done!"
Silently Peyton helped Haley, following her friend while her mind went over everything Haley had said.
-x-
Slightly bored Lucas started walking around Brooke's house, popping his lips as he looked around the room, with a smile Lucas picked up the purple monkey Brooke had placed on one of her shelves and he gave a chuckle when he remembered a day he's spent with Brooke and Angie months ago.
Eventually Lucas found himself staring at Brooke's fridge door, his brow furrowed as he looked at all the pictures on display. He was on there three times; a photo of the two of them with Angie, a photo of them with Jamie at his first birthday party and an old photo of them together with Peyton from junior year while Brooke and Lucas were still dating. It was the last photo that Brooke looked at the longest, he frowned wondering if Brooke had been pregnant in that photo, wondering why Brooke had kept such a photo and put it on display. It looked innocent, three friends arm in arm, yet looking at their young smiles Lucas felt shame and the youthful mistakes he had made, at the pain they had all experienced.
Other photos were on display, Lucas looked at the photos of his sister that Brooke had and spent an extra moment on the photo of his mother with Lily. The conversation he had to have with his mother in the near future was one that filled Lucas with nerves, even if he hadn't known about the baby Lucas still feared his mother would be reminded of Dan and if he remembered those days before Brooke had lied about not being pregnant Lucas could also remember the sharp sting of his mother's slap.
There was a loud enthusiastic knock on the door, Lucas moved away from the kitchen and left the memories behind. When Lucas swung the door open he was surprised to see a familiar face, he groaned.
"Lucas Scott!" Tim shouted, "man, I can't believe it. I got your pizza" he held the box forward, "wow, this is a nice place you got"
Before Tim could walk inside Lucas widened his stance, "Tim, how are you?"
"Good, good" his grin was too large, "hey, I heard you got married"
About to say something Lucas stopped when Brooke's voice called out from her room, "Luke, is that the pizza? Let me get dressed and I'll get some money"
"I've got it" Lucas called back, turning to yell at Brooke before facing Tim again.
The other man looked shocked, "Brooke Davis? Nice dawg. Bevin always thought you would marry Peyton but I'm with you dude" he chuckled, "nice, Brooke's got a great ra-"
Gritting his teeth Lucas grabbed the pizza box and gave a harsh "don't say it" and quickly stuffed a note into Tim's hand.
"I'm just saying, she is fine, I would-"
"Bye Tim" Lucas slammed the door shut.
With a fresh face and big smile, a damper Brooke bounced into the room, "is Noah out yet?" and she crossed the room to take the pizza from Lucas, he watched as she took a deep sniff, "smells good"
Lucas placed his hands in his pickets, "he was changing into his pyjamas a minute ago, I'll go get him" and leaving Brooke he went to Noah's room.
The door was slightly ajar, Lucas gave a quick nod before poking his head in, "hey, pizza is here".
Sitting on the edge of his bed Noah sat motionless, eyes staring blankly at the opposite wall, Lucas stepped into the room, "you okay?"
"Fine, sir"
"You know, I'm not really a sir kind of a guy"
"Sorry" Noah looked at Lucas, his hands sitting politely in his lap.
Lucas sat next to Noah, the mattress barely sinking underneath him, "you don't need to say sorry. What are you thinking about? "
A crease formed at the top of Noah's nose, he brows narrowed, "I don't know what to do"
"About what?"
"With my time. I don't have school tomorrow and I don't have my classes. What am I meant to do?"
"Ah" Lucas sighed, "well I guess you can do anything you want to do"
Noah stared at Lucas, he gave his father a doubtful look, "obviously I cannot do anything I want, that is improbable"
Unable to help himself Lucas chuckled, "okay well first you have to eat pizza and knowing Brooke we better hurry before she eats it all. Come on, let's go eat, we can figure out what's next as we go" without thinking Lucas placed a hand on Noah's shoulder, as soon as Noah stiffened Lucas realised where his hand was but just before he was about to remove his hand Noah's body relaxed and Lucas lifted his hand as he stood to lead the way.
Though Lucas couldn't see Noah follow him he still felt the boy's presence behind him the entire way.
-x-
There was little flavour in the food Peyton was tasting, she knew it was not for lack of trying, anything Peyton currently ate tasted like cardboard. Her stomach turned, Peyton shifted the dinner around her plate with her fork.
The table was oddly silent, Nathan and Haley tried to make conversation it always ended in the same awkward silence. Sam swallowed her last mouthful, "so… is it just me or is this really awkward?"
"Sam, eat your dinner" Haley smiled.
"I did and as riveting as the conversation has been can I please be excused?" Sam rolled her eyed as she spoke.
Haley almost chocked, "sure, I know you have a paper due this week so why don't you work on that" and then when the teenager was gone Haley smiled at Peyton "sorry, you know how surly teenagers can be"
"She was just telling the truth" Peyton stabbed her dinner.
They fell back into silence until Jamie shifted in his seat, "what does awkward mean?"
"Sam was just being silly" Nathan tried to change the subject but Jamie looked between his parents with confusion.
Peyton slowly placed her knife and fork down, "it means when something happens that makes you feel uncomfortable, like the feeling you get when you're caught in a lie"
"Oh" Jamie thought about it for a second, "is it because nobody's talking?" Jamie sighed loudly, "everyone is always whispering and acting funny"
Peyton straightened up, she looked between Nathan and Haley, "Jamie doesn't know?"
"Mama says I'm a know it all" Jamie grinned.
Nathan sent his son a smile as Haley shook her head at Peyton, "we wanted to wait until Brooke and Lucas were back"
"Is Uncle Luke marrying Aunt Brooke now?" Jamie spoke up causing the three adults to react instantly, Nathan almost choking, Haley dropping her utensils and throwing her hands up and Peyton locking her jaw.
Avoiding meeting Peyton steely glare Haley smiled sweetly at her son, "why would you ask that?"
"Because he went away with Peyton and they came back engaged and now he has gone away with Aunt Brooke, and Peyton hit Aunt Brooke and when I asked Uncle Luke if he loved Aunt Brooke he said it was a long story" he rubbed his chin "and when I ask you and Dad what is going on you say it's a long story" his eyes were huge as he explained his reasoning, ending with an expression that clearly said nuh duh.
Peyton's chair made a loud screech when in anger she pushed it back, she stood for a moment before Haley stood and reached over to still her, "Peyton, he's five"
"I think I should go. Thanks for dinner"
It was Nathan who followed Peyton out, Haley gave Jamie a disapproving look and the boy shrugged, "what?"
Shaking her head with an exasperated smile Haley started collecting plates, "help me clean up".
When Nathan returned Haley sent her husband a look, "she's okay…just needs time" he replied and then Nathan playfully shook Jamie's shoulders, "and I think we need to have a talk with this little guy"
"What did I do?" Jamie groaned but soon laughed when Nathan lifted him up and started spinning him around the room until the father placed the boy back to the floor outside the door, "go get ready for bed and we will meet you upstairs" he gave the boy a pat on the bottom as Jamie ran away.
Alone they faced each other, without saying a word Nathan moved to Haley and helped her, the two moving in sync with each other and soon the kitchen was clean and Nathan pulled Haley into a kiss, soft at first they started to deepen it. Haley's found herself trapped between the wall of Nathan's chest and the sink, her hands ran through his short dark hair "okay, slow it down cowboy" she managed to get out, her breathing shallow.
"Like this?" Nathan grinned against her skin, slowly trailing kisses from Haley's mouth down to her neck, spreading the blouse open so he could finish his trail at her collar bone.
There was a cough, "I'm ready for bed"
Nathan stilled and Haley looked over his shoulder, still shaky the mother grinned "right, okay Jamie let's get you to bed" and then low enough that only Nathan could hear Haley whispered while she placed her hand against his chest to push him away, brushing against him "and then we can see about putting you to bed" she winked.
"Let's go" Nathan clapped sweeping Haley up and chasing Jamie upstairs.
The levity remained while they tucked Jamie into bed and then they sat down on his bed with Jamie between them, the boy anxiously eyeing his parents.
"So we have something to tell you that will be a bit of a surprise about your Uncle Lucas and Aunt Brooke but it's something we are very excited about" Nathan didn't know quite what to say next and with his hand propped beside him he sent Haley a look.
Taking over from her husband Haley rubbed Jamie's kneed from above his duvet, "remember when you asked Uncle Lucas about Aunt Brooke and he said it was a long story, see a long time ago before you were even born they did love each other..." Haley stopped and winced at her words, "they still do love each other but not in the same way as they did in high school when they dated but sometimes love is complicated and theirs changed, but-" she popped the last word, her eyes growing "when they stopped dating Aunt Brooke found out she was going to have a baby and she went away for a little while and had a little boy who was named Noah"
Jamie looked confused, "Aunt Brooke doesn't have a baby"
"That's because when she gave birth to Noah she was still so young and Aunt Brooke thought she couldn't be the best mommy for Noah so she found another Mom and Dad for the baby but the thing is that Mom and Dad changed their mind and Brooke was never told until just a few weeks ago and you know your Aunt Brooke, she straight away decided she wanted to bring her baby home and give him all the love she could"
Nathan continued explaining, "see buddy that's why Uncle Lucas and Aunt Brooke went away, they are bringing their little boy home. His name is Noah, he is six years old and is going to live with Brooke from now on."
The expression on Jamie's young face was of disbelief, he looked between his parents again, "so Aunt Brooke is a mom and Uncle Luke is his dad?"
"Yeah, you're going to have a big cousin"
"This is so weird" and then he grinned "and so cool!"
Nathan and Haley smiled at each other, "that's good, we feel the same" Haley laughed grabbing Nathan's hand and looking into his blue eyes after watching Jamie light up with those same baby blues as his father made something awaken in Haley and she dreamt of more little Nathan's to light up her world.
-x-
Laughter bubbled up inside Lucas as he watched the look of concentration on Brooke's face, it was a rolling emotion yet Lucas fought to keep his face straight as Brooke stared at the board, her brow was kinked and her bottom lip was tucked in as she bit it.
Lucas placed his tiles down and Brooke gave a loud sigh while her eyes flittered around.
The three of them were sprawled on the floor of the living room, the furniture pushed aside, with a scrabble board in the middle of them. Noah's legs kicked the air, Lucas had noticed whenever Noah settled on what word he was creating his legs stilled, and though there was no denying the boy was his the expressions on his face resembled Brooke to such a degree Lucas could barely believe they hadn't been together in over sixe years.
After a minute of waiting for Brooke to have her turn Noah handed her the booklet, "there's a list of two letter words in here" his tone sweetly helpful and Lucas let his chuckle out.
Smiling Brooke glared at Lucas before telling Noah she was fine.
Another minute went by and Noah excused himself to go to the bathroom, Lucas checked the scores and was impressed at how well Noah was doing though Lucas himself was still in the lead.
"You can always pass"
"I'm not going to pass" Brooke hissed and then placed four tiles down.
Lucas laughed again, "you can't put that down"
"It's a word" she smirked.
Lucas raised his brow, "an inappropriate word"
"It's all I have"
"Noah is six"
"And he used the word mated" she rolled her eyes, "it's just a word"
"Brooke!"
"It's 51 points! 51! I need it. Do you know how many words I could have done, I had an f and u before, Lucas, give me this" there was a slight whine to her voice.
"Fine" Lucas laughed again and shook his head as he replaced the i with a blank tile from his own row "we are pretending its ducks"
"Deal" Brooke happily went to the tile bag and grabbed the last remaining tile, "well I think I've officially lost" there was no hint of disappointment in her voice; Lucas could see the joy in her eyes. Noah quickly returned and soon the game was over, Noah packed away without complaint and merely nodded when Brooke said it was bed time. Together Brooke and Lucas took Noah to his room, the boy turned before hopping into his bed "may I read before bed?"
"Ten minutes" Brooke agreed and then bent down "I am really happy that you're here"
Sounding as polite as ever Noah gave a little nod, "thank you" and then after a pause, "it is very nice here" and though Brooke smiled at her son Lucas stiffened at Noah's words and reserved tone.
They both bid the boy goodnight and then left the room, Lucas let out a heavy sigh when they returned to the living room.
Reading his body language Brooke frowned, "you okay?"
"Sometimes I just feel that something is… off, not quite right. Maybe I am expecting too much" he looked away, his hand running through his short hair "I guess I just thought it would be different"
"Give him time, give yourself time" Brooke placed her hand on his bicep and squeezed gently, "he doesn't know us but that's going to change. It will, Luke"
Her hand had started to rub his arm, the action second nature, neither one even noticed it as they talked until the room turned silent and their eyes came face to face. The warmth of her hand on his arm burned them, Brooke was quick to drop her hand and step back, "I better go get Sam" and she left without looking at Lucas again.
Exhausted Lucas sat on the couch and before he knew it he was startled awake, over an hour had gone by but the house was quiet. Lucas checked if Brooke's car was back and then went to look on a sleeping Noah, standing in their son's bedroom doorway Lucas got out his phone and sent Brooke a quick text, everything ok? Just woke up and saw time.
The reply came quick. Sorry! Got talking to Haley, will leave soon. It's late just take my room and I will crash with Sam if you want.
Lucas sent back a quick okay and then looked around; he sighed again and gave in not knowing if it was the right decision. Slightly weary and unsure Lucas entered Brooke's bedroom and began to undress, it was surprisingly clean except for the clothes that Brooke had worn on the trip home, the items made a trail to the en-suite ending with Brooke's lacy bra peeking out. Not trying to think about it Lucas collected the clothes and threw them on top of the bra, closing the adjoining door so they were out of site and folded his own by the bed. In only his trunks Lucas slipped beneath the sheets and started to drift off once again, a smile on his lips as a familiar smell from the pillow had him snuggle in deeper.
-x-
So that's the tenth chapter. Back in Tree Hill. I originally was going to show some more Cali time but this is what came out instead. And I just had to have Jamie throw some more spanners at Peyton.