***Disclaimer*** for creative purposes only, and I claim no ownership of the fandom, characters and setting. I do own a pair of brown children's boots that are my fave to wear that were an absolute bargain.

Thank you to everyone who read, favourited and followed, and to the reviewers who always bring me back. A big thanks to bjq, always, lileen, brookelucas, brucas, callison, dianehermans and the guests reviewers. I would also like to thank everyone for the well wishes and hoping I get well soon, I have a condition that sometimes hits me and makes me very unwell. Right now I am feeling good and hope to do as much writing in the next week that I can.

I am glad people are liking the bonding, this chapter has a slight time jump from the last and that will happen more often between chapters now.

Chapter Thirteen

A small bump curved Peyton's usually flat stomach, if you didn't know the skinny blonde you wouldn't think twice about it but for Peyton she finally felt like her perfect little bump looked like she was pregnant instead of just carrying extra weight than normal. Hand over her bump Peyton ran her fingers over her skin, a smile gracing her face, and then she finished getting dressed covering her pregnancy with a long loose green shirt, over her black tights that were more comfortable for her growing body. Next Peyton slipped on her boots and then went looking for Lucas, she found him in the nursery, it was still a coat of paint away from a finished paint job, Lucas had gotten distracted and never finished it but he stood now looking the room, hands on his hips, "Luke" Peyton interrupted his thoughts, "it's time to go".

They didn't know who was more nervous, Lucas and Brooke had held off Noah meeting Peyton but it was Noah's fourth weekend in Tree Hill and though a part of Peyton had been happy to pretend Noah was not part of her life it was starting to be obvious that the two were being kept apart. Noah had met all their other friends and had settled into life in Tree Hill, Lucas' routine with his son was going well but it also meant that Peyton's time with her fiancé had been limited over the last month. Between Noah and the movie Peyton felt like she barely saw Lucas and if she became part of his time with Noah it meant she had that extra time with him, besides she rationalised that as Noah's stepmother she should try to be a parental figure in his life.

The DNA results had come in and to no one's surprise except Peyton's it confirmed Noah's paternity and corrected the birth certificate to include Lucas as well. Peyton was well aware that Lucas was not comfortable with Noah's surname and was planning on approaching Brooke about changing it to Scott, the fact he was now opening up to her more about Noah made Peyton more content, she was getting used to the idea, she had to after the DNA results dashed her hopes that it was all a mistake.

Despite her change of attitude Peyton's nerves were still standing to attention, even pregnant Peyton was not a kid person, she had never particularly paid attention to Jamie and found she could only handle so much time with the child. Peyton avoided children though she hoped to build some sort of relationship with Lucas' son, he would never be her child like the one in her womb yet Peyton had loved and cared for baby Jenny all those years ago, she had loved Jenny like her own and hoped that over time she could perhaps love Noah too despite his age and gender.

Lucas seemed to brim with energy as they left the house, half excitement at the thought it could go right and half dread that it could go wrong.

From the car Peyton watched as Brooke opened her door, Noah in front of her, and she could see Brooke fling her head back and laugh as something was said. From the distance Peyton saw Lucas and Noh share their handshake and then as they stepped away Brooke's fingers brushed over the boy's hair and the same hand lifted up into the air in a wave goodbye that Noah and Lucas returned.

Turning to face the car they looked down, Lucas' large smile dimpling his cheek as he spoke to his son. Brooke watched for a moment and Peyton stared up at the other woman, their eyes met and slowly Brooke's smile fell until her expression turned hard as Peyton continued to glare.

Then Brooke's head gave a slight move to the side, her eyes closed and when she looked at Peyton again she gave a small smile and turned away closing the door between them.

Lucas and Noah reached the car and Peyton quickly got out, wiping the stray tear that fell as she went so when she faced them her face did not betray her as she tried to seem as happy and relaxed as she could. Voice only slightly shaky Peyton smiled at Noah, "hey" and then she looked at Lucas. I can do this.

-x-

Blindfolded Brooke was careful with each step she took as Julian guided her way, "where are you taking me?"

The only answer was his laughter. Their snatched moments hadn't been enough for Julian and today they had the whole day together just the two of them and finally Julian was going to give Brooke the date he owed her. When they reached their destination Julian removed his hands, "voilà!"

Standing at the end of a jetty Brooke was hit by the sight of a waiting sail boat framed by a clear blue sky, Brooke kinked her brow "nice Catamaran, you know how to sail?" she asked and Julian helped her aboard.

With a shrug he sent her a carefree grin, "it's like riding a bike"

"I haven't been sailing in years" she ran her hands along the boat remembering the good times she had on her parents sail boat when she was a teenager, "the last time was the summer after graduation" with Peyton.

Brooke let the memories roll off her and helped Julian as they set sail, with the wind in her hair she gave herself into the moment and taking the reins she directed Julian off the coast of her favourite cove where they moored the boat and stretched out in the sun as the waves gently swayed them.

"Care for a dip?" Julian suggested and Brooke quickly stood to lift her dress up over her head, for a second Julian was gobsmacked, his mouth ajar at the thought of skinny dipping with Brooke but she threw her dress to the ground beside her sunglasses and wearing a modest dark blue underwear set jumped straight into the water.

The splash hit Julian and had him laughing and he shook his head as she reappeared above the water, swiping the wet hair out of her face she sent him a daring look. As quick as he could Julian shackled off his clothes and in only his briefs jumped up and tucked his knees in as he landed in the water to join her.

As soon as he broke the waves Julian felt the splash from Brooke's direction, they played in the water until Brooke pulled herself back on board and laid in the sun again this time to dry herself, Julian soon joined her and the conversation came easily. They didn't talk about the movie or past relationships, they didn't even discuss Brooke's children.

Isolated surrounded by water overlooking the empty shore Brooke could almost pretend the rest of the world didn't exist, this was a moment in time free of worries and overthinking. Julian had packed a decadent picnic and they shared it, Brooke flirted and gave Julian a match for innuendo though he wasn't as subtle as the afternoon crept by. Another time Brooke might have given into temptation and opportunity however Brooke held back, she knew that the world around them still existed and wasn't ready for more than she was willing to give.

Julian was fun, he was easy, and that was exactly what Brooke wanted.

-x-

The idea of the drive-in had seemed perfect to Lucas, they had stocked up at the grocery store for snacks before heading to the drive-in for the movie. They could all spend the time together but ease into it with no pressure for conversation or too much contact, the three of them had fit perfectly in the back of Luke's pick-up truck, Peyton and Lucas rested against each other with their back to the cab while Noah lay on the other side of Lucas with his feet towards them. At first Lucas thought the movie was perfect for Noah, a kid's movie that wasn't childish, though he hadn't thought about the subject and how Noah might feel about the familial bonds in the movie.

As the movie played out Lucas felt uncomfortable with his choice even though Noah did not seem phased, when it was over Lucas took Peyton and Noah out for lunch choosing to sit along the Riverwalk close to the live band knowing that music was something all three of them enjoyed.

Peyton was slightly stiff and didn't seem to know whether to treat Noah like a child or an adult but despite that Lucas was happy with the effort his fiancée was showing and knew that if Peyton could relax and not overthink it then this might all just work.

The hours showed Lucas how this could work, it might not feel natural now but he was sure that with time that would change. After they ate Lucas and Peyton took Noah to the arcade where they joined in on the fun which put Noah at ease as he too played the games. They walked out with a handful of prizes and the adults smiling, Noah had relaxed and though his smile was not on show Lucas had learnt to read Noah and was confident his son had enjoyed himself.

It was five in the afternoon when Lucas dropped Peyton off at home before taking Noah back to Brooke's house. The day at an end Lucas let go of a deep breath, they had all survived the day and even Brooke seemed relieved when she opened the door fresh faced, her damp hair curling around her face, barefoot in a baggy sweatshirt that barely covered her short shorts, "hi" she smiled with a question in her eyes, Lucas gave Brooke a nod and her eyes cleared, "welcome home" she moved aside to let Noah in and watched as father and son said goodbye.

"I'll see you Tuesday" Lucas gave her a wave goodbye and she shut the door before he had even taken two steps.

They kept things focused on Noah, Lucas and Brooke barely spoke outside the brief changeovers and when at the same events for family and friends they made sure they kept apart yet acted cordial enough that it wasn't obvious that they were avoiding each other. The tension between them was at a stalemate, a workable stalemate.

-x-

The next day Brooke guided Noah into Tric which by day was the acting headquarters to the 'Ravens' movie, the boy still wore his school uniform, the charcoal shorts and pale blue shirt with the dark royal blue tie. Brooke's hand rested lightly on Noah's shoulder as they stopped, familiar with the layout Brooke went straight to where Julian had told her to meet him and knocked.

Lucas opened the door and his eyes widened in surprise, "Brooke, Noah, what a nice surprise" and with a smile Lucas stepped back and Noah stepped forward towards his father. Noah happily shared his personal handshake with his father and as they parted Lucas noticed Brooke looking behind him.

"I'm actually meant to meet Julian here"

"We just finished a table reading and he stepped out for a minute, come in"

Brooke was hesitant, she followed them further into the back room, "I thought I would bring Noah too… maybe you could show him around, Sam's out back if you would prefer her to watch him"

"What are you doing here, Brooke?"

"My job" it came out curter than she meant it, her words stopped anything Lucas might have said, and she watched as he nodded and turned his attention to Noah. Seconds later Julian walked in and explained how the room was going to be used by Brooke as she took the casts measurements, Lucas left taking Noah with him and as son as they were alone Julian placed a kiss against Brooke's lips.

It was brief, Brooke kissed Julian back and then pulled away getting straight to business. One after the other the main movie cast walked in, it was surreal for Brooke to see these copies of her friends. The last one was the young woman playing Brooke who Julian came in to introduce, before the girl walked in Brooke was excited but it only lasted a few minutes before the girl's attentions became too much for Brooke, a few minutes later the questions were starting to annoy the designer.

Two catty warnings seemed to go straight over young Missy's head, after taking Missy's measurements Brooke had told her to try on the cheerleading outfit Brooke had designed and now with a pin in her mouth Brooke tried to not stab the actress.

Finally, Brooke snapped "for your info, I did a lot more in high school than have sex, okay? I was student body president, I was the captain of the cheerleading squad, I started a clothing line and I even had a b… It's amazing I even had time for sex!" with one last pin Brooke stepped away, her face red.

For the first time Missy was silent and then she apologised, "Sorry. I didn't mean to offend you, I've been wanting to meet you for weeks and I've totally screwed this up. I was just following the breakdown they gave me"

"What breakdown?" Brooke asked and Missy handed Brooke a worn piece of paper, she took it and read the typed words.

Brooke Davis: Gorgeous brunette with an amazing energy and smile. Her three favourite things: Sex, sex and sex.

"You're done" Brooke practically yelled at Missy as she abandoned the actress and paper in hand stormed out. Everywhere she looked Brooke couldn't find the face she was looking for, she searched outside and found Lucas laughing with Sam and Noah.

Grabbing Lucas by the collar Brooke dragged him away with an abrupt "excuse me", she pulled him away from the children and around the corner pushed her ex against the wall, "You! Hoe could you write such horrible things about me?" she was so angry and Lucas stared at her in shock and confusion, "you, who called me your pretty girl and said I was gonna change the world someday. Is that all you think of me? The mother of your son" she pushed against his chest as he went to stand straight.

Lucas fell back against the wall again, "what are you talking about?"

"This" Brooke shoved the breakdown at him, "tell me you didn't write that!"

Reading it Lucas' expression softened, he looked her in the eyes "I didn't write this"

Brooke didn't believe Lucas, "then who did?" she took the breakdown back but Lucas took it from her hands and ripped it in too.

Still reeling from Brooke's outburst Lucas quietly answered, "Julian" and didn't get a chance to add anymore for Brooke stormed away as quickly as she appeared.

A part of Brooke was devastated, another not surprised, but it was the fiery anger inside Brooke that drove her forward and when she saw Julian grinning at her she strutted forward wishing she had something to throw at him. Brooke settled for poking a finger at his chest, "you think all I care about is sex, I should have seen this coming. You related to my character in the book, all the comments you made yesterday as if I was a sure thing. I've got news for you, I am not that girl anymore and I have always been more than just sex."

The words out Brooke turned around and walked off ignoring Julian calling her name, she flung her hand up as she left, "high school Brooke graduated!".

Even in heels Brooke was surprisingly fast, she met the kids outside again and farewelled Lucas without looking him in the eye.

As they drove home Sam eyed Brooke, "you okay?"

"I'm fine, just fine"

"Riggghtio" Sam drawled and looked away from Brooke.

When they were home Brooke instructed Noah and Sam to go do their homework and like most school days the two of them made themselves comfortable next to each other at the kitchen table as they worked, on autopilot Brooke placed a drink and snack on the table for them before going to her own room to calm down.

Her phone had multiple missed calls, it rang again in Brooke's hand and she answered it to end the call a second later. The next one was a voice message and unable to help herself Brooke listened to Julian's voice.

"I don't want high school Brooke, I was an awkward mathlete in school, that kid would never have a chance with Brooke Davis or anyone in the popular group. I'm sorry the breakdown hurt your feelings, it was meant to describe my favourite character before anyone got to know the real person, the real Brooke. The girl who has been nearly impossible to find but worth every second of the wait. The girl, no woman, who is funny, intelligent, kind-hearted, string-headed, simple, complicated, motherly, childish, tough, sensitive, beautiful and way cooler than she was in high school. I want to show that Brooke to the world"

The message ended and Brooke continued to hold the phone against her ear, her thoughts were broken by a knock on the front door. Expecting Julian, she quickly exited her room and told the kids to stay where they were, at the door Brooke waited a moment as she wondered if she really wanted to open the door.

Julian's words echoed in her mind, they called to her yet something about what he said didn't fit, had Brooke question if Julian who seemed to read her so well knew her at all because she wasn't a different person to who she was in high school.

The knock came again and Brooke took a breath before opening the door.

The light eyes met hers and Brooke froze for a split second and then she slammed the door straight in their face.

-x-

Thanks for reading. Please review and follow. Who do you think is on the other side of the door?

-mickei