***Disclaimer*** for creative purposes only, and I claim no ownership of the fandom, characters and setting.
Okay, feel free to yell at me. This took way longer to get out than even I expected. As Christmas approached, I was like that's it I'll upload it Christmas Eve but well… I didn't. It's been crazy! But I've managed to make this a happy new year update instead. So happy holidays OTHers! Enjoy this update.
Thanks to all the reviewers and those who got on my back to update ; )
Cheers to the guest reviewers and DJ, B4C, K-PIXY, WMC, BJQ, BROOKELUCASNOAH, GH JASSAM FAN, BREATHBOOKSLOVE, NEW TO BROOKE, MORGANELOVE98, LILEEN, DIANE, NOTROB, and DEPLHINE05.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The house was dark, eerily quiet, a shadow of what Lucas had thought that his future in his home would be. Every day felt familiar, too familiar, as Lucas followed the same routine with one menial task followed by another, the only break from the painful mundane was his time with Noah.
Everyone had tried to be there for Lucas, he appreciated their care yet the look in their eyes, that guarded pity or worry, served only as a reminder. Lucas didn't need a reminder, he would live forever with the knowledge of his daughter's death, the haunting of the life that could have been with no memories to help dull the grief. That was painful in itself, mourning a child you never got a chance to even know, yet Lucas would never forget her, his angelic Sawyer.
One day turned to the next, Lucas cleaned and exercised, he spent time with his friends though not as much as he used to, his writing continued as the pain and grief inspired a darker side of him, and he ate when he remembered. The fridge and freezer were filled by meals made my others, and if he went a couple of days without seeing one of his friends there would eventually be a knock on his door.
As if on cue, there was a knock at the door and Lucas let Nathan in, his brother handed over a casserole dish with a wry smile, "from Haley" and Lucas added it to the others before grabbing a beer for both of them.
They clinked their bottles and moved out to the porch, there were a few silent minutes, Nathan watched Lucas until finally Lucas rolled his eyes, "go ahead, ask"
"You okay?"
"As well as can be expected" Lucas answered, he found it frustrating how everyone wanted to ask him how he was feeling yet knew it was easier to get it out of the way otherwise the question would hover between them, "you guys don't need to worry about me so much"
"We just want you to know we're here, I don't like the idea of you alone here all the time" Nathan paused for a moment, "you heard from her yet?" Nathan lifted his brow in question.
"Nope" Lucas popped, "I talked to Larry so I know she's safe"
"How is that not driving you insane!" Nathan licked his lips, less calm than Lucas, "you know we are all waiting for you to explode"
Lucas sat down on the bench along the wall, he sighed, "after we lost Sawyer, a part of me broke, but I felt that I had to hold everything together because Peyton was falling apart. Peyton's grief suffocated mine, it wasn't just the grief though." He looked up at Nathan, "when I came home and realised Peyton was gone, I wasn't angry or even upset," Lucas gave a sad smile "I was relieved".
For a moment Nathan just looked at his brother and then he let his breath go and relaxed.
Lucas took a moment to have some more beer, and began again, "I knew it was coming, that eventually we'd be healed enough to survive that conversation, and I'll admit I thought I would be the one to say the words" he gave a humourless chuckle and took another swig, "I didn't want to say it, Peyton didn't want to hear it - problem solved"
"Maybe that was a conversation you both needed"
"And say what?" Lucas became more animated, he leant forward over his knees with his eyes intently on Nathan, "that we failed, that everyone was wrong and everyone was right? We tried so hard to be right for each other, to fit ourselves into these neat little boxes we were so convinced our lives were meant to be, and despite everything… we wanted the same thing, we wanted our girl. I wanted Sawyer so badly, I wanted to be the best dad I could be, to just love her. I could do that right. And then she was gone, and all our hopes and dreams went with her, everything holding us together through the confusion. Everything becomes so small after that… so no, Nathan, that's a conversation neither one of us needed, we didn't need the words to be said aloud. I was relieved, I no longer had to worry about that. And now Peyton's emotions aren't suffocating me and I can… I can…" Lucas licked his lips, "it's my turn to mourn" and the tears fell, shattering Lucas' composure and Nathan waited only a beat before wrapping an arm around his brother.
-x-
The chill in the air had Brooke wrap her arms around herself, she stood under the tree in her backyard and looked out at the river. It had risen with the rain from the past week, its surface rougher and more dangerous, another strong breeze swept by and Brooke's teeth began to chatter. With one last questioning glance at the river Brooke returned to the warmth of her house.
It was quiet inside and Brooke followed the steps to the second floor, she could hear the music from Noah's room, it's soft melody soothing and when she reached his room Brooke found Noah at his desk writing in one of his journal's. Unable to stop herself Brooke didn't speak, she simply watched Noah as he sat so peacefully working, he wasn't just writing she quickly noticed that her son was sticking photographs on the paper too.
After a few minutes Brooke took a step into the room, "hey, what are you working on?"
"It's all the animals Dad and I find on our walks, I am cataloguing them"
Brooke looked over Noah's shoulder and smiled, she couldn't resist running her hands through his hair, an act so instinctual she no longer noticed when she did it. Noah's hair had darkened significantly since they had first met, it now was only one shade lighter than Brooke's colouring, he was noticeably taller too, small changes compared to how much more open the child had become.
"I want to show him this weekend" Noah smiled. Did he sound older? Brooke wondered, there was an ease to his voice that hadn't been there a year ago, Brooke smiled back.
"He will love it" she kissed the top of his head, "I'm going to go start dinner" Brooke left the room and jogged down the staircase, once she was in the kitchen Brooke resisted the urge to grab her phone and instead focused on what she told Noah she was going to do.
With pasta boiling and the sauce ready Brooke turned to her phone again. It had become a physical pain attempting to stay away, the small moments Brooke allowed herself were all consuming, she bit her lip staring at her phone before sighing and pushing it away on the counter. In a rough jerk Brooke turned her back on it, stirring dinner before giving in and grabbing her phone again.
"Hi" the one word came with so many questions, Brooke's brow creased in the heart beat she waited, she could hear his breathing.
And then it came, "hi" Lucas said back and Brooke smiled. It was the way he said it that said everything and happy that she had called him Brooke turned the stove of and leant into the counter as she talked.
"So, I have been thinking and I'm wondering how you would feel about trying weekends with Noah again?" Brooke quickly added on "if you're ready that is, I completely underst-"
"Brooke. Thank you, I would love that" and she could hear the smile in his voice, "this weekend?"
"Yeah, sounds good"
They broke into a silence until Brooke finally nodded, "great, I can drop him off to yours Friday at five"
"See you then"
"Bye, Luke" she pressed end call and placed her phone down carefully, a weight lifted from her shoulders.
Friday came faster than Brooke anticipated, she parked her car and heard Noah's door slam before the engine even stopped running. Noah had changed after school and he carried his school bag over one shoulder, his body bundled up, Brooke tucked his jacket tighter around his neck and patted Noah's back, he rushed to the front door which opened before either one of them reached it.
Lucas waited with a wide grin that reached his eyes, the crinkles at the side of his age drew Brooke's attention, and she tugged a stray strand of hair behind her ear, "he's full of energy for you, I made sure to give him lots of sugar"
Noah rolled his eyes and sent his father a look, "she did not"
"I tried" she winked and Brooke's eyes met Lucas, she tilted her head to one side and her right brow kinked slightly. Lucas took Noah's bag from him and held his son's shoulder, his eyes not leaving Brooke's as he gave a nod, Brooke sent her ex a slight smile and nodded back, "I'll leave you Scott boys to it then"
"Brooke" Lucas stopped her as she stepped forward to kiss Noah goodbye, "why don't you join us for dinner?"
Her breath caught in her throat, Brooke looked to her right for a moment and then to Noah and Lucas who watched her with identical expressions,
"Say yes, Mom" Noah's face had lit up and Brooke struggled to answer, she met the glint in Lucas' eyes and narrowed her gaze at him.
"That sounds… great".
Brooke followed Lucas and Noah inside, unsure where to look, the house had transformed into the past, reminding Brooke of the time she spent there when she had Angie, yet still there was a sense of empty space to the house that used to feel so homely.
She stayed close to Noah and stayed in the hallway as he placed his school bag near his bed, there was nothing in the room that spoke of the nursery that was never used and an overwhelming sense of sadness filled Brooke. It hit her sometimes what her friends had gone through, it was so crushing in those seconds Brooke had no idea how they could live through it.
There was no anger in Brooke for Peyton, all she had for her lost friend was empathy and love, everything else was forgotten. Turning Brooke almost bumped into Lucas, she stepped away, her feelings for the brooding blonde far less simple.
For every inch of Brooke that needed to be there for Lucas another part of her knew that was a dangerous path with consequences she was not ready for.
They both tried to walk around the other, stopping two times as they both went in the same direction, Lucas chuckled and stood still, lifting his hand to tell her to walk by.
Her side brushed his arm and Brooke gave an almost indiscernible jump while Lucas froze, a warmth of tingle rushed through them both and Lucas snatched his arm away and stepped into Noah's room his eyes not meeting Brooke and she released a sharp breath and escaped to the bathroom.
Five minutes later Noah went looking for his mother and asked her to help him set the table, and as they did so with Lucas cooking a metre away it felt strangely familiar to the group, Lucas asked Noah how his day was and they fell into a natural rhythm. The eyes and the words came easy, Brooke made sure they didn't accidentally touch again, and by the time dinner ended she could almost forget why this was so dangerous, why it was so wrong.
It was a stark reminder when Noah hugged Brooke goodbye and Brooke was left to farewell Lucas, the two adults eyes met again, nothing in the way of the pull between them except Brooke could see how tired Lucas was by the strain in his eyes, Brooke could see the pain in the way he held his jaw, and the familiar lost expression she knew was hidden beneath the show of strength.
And Brooke knew how easy it would be to help Lucas, she knew she could help him find something and Brooke felt her heart twist inside her, for Brooke also knew she would lose a part of herself in the process.
With a step back Brooke began to turn away, "bye, Luke".
-x-
Saturday night at Tric was loud, while it rained outside the band inside and the dancers kept the club hot, the air thick with body heat. It was strangely ironic to Brooke that she had been the one dragged out by Haley and Millie, they had insisted that she needed to go have fun, the type of fun that didn't include a seven-year-old and being a mom.
It didn't feel the same though, Brooke had a good time with their girl's night but there was something inside her that she wanted to shake off, she tried to forget the world with dancing and with more alcohol than she'd had in a year but the feelings inside her lingered prominently still.
Haley was the first to leave, joining Nathan with a look in her eyes that Brooke recognised so she pushed her friend away with a laugh and told Haley to have a good night with a wiggle of her eyebrows and then Millie left to go home to Mouth and Brooke sighed.
In her position at the bar Brooke regretted her choice at heels that were starting to kill her feet and eyes the bottles wondering what drink she would have next.
Brooke's hazel eyes were still making a decision when the bartender placed a shot in front of her, "thanks Chase" Brooke took the shot but Chase shook his head and pointed to Brooke's left.
A blonde man in his twenties moved from his spot further down the bar with a matching shot and stood next to Brooke, "hi"
"Well, hello" Brooke smirked and together they downed their shots, Brooke lifted her hand "Chase, two more"
Soon they were three shots down each, "first name basis with the bartender?"
"Actually, we dated in high school" Brooke shrugged one shoulder.
"Small town"
"I don't think I've seen you here before" Brooke knew her tone had long turned flirtatious, she eyed the blonde, he was tall, over six foot and she guessed around the same height as Nathan and a little taller than Lucas, he wasn't as lean or toned at the Scott's and Brooke mentally shook her head as she started to compare the stranger to Lucas. They were both good looking, both fair haired and light eyed, Brooke took another shot as her comparison continued.
"I'm here on business" he told her, "I'm hoping to represent a rising Tree Hill sports star" it was clear he was hoping to impress Brooke.
Inwardly she laughed, "sounds like you know people"
"I don't know you" he leant forward, "but I'd like to. I'm Clay"
"Hi Clay" she leaned in, "so what important person has brought you to Tree Hill"
"Nathan Scott" Clay grinned and then saw the look of familiarity in Brooke's eyes, "heard of him?"
"Like you said, it's a small town" she turned the conversation back to Clay but he wasn't interested in talking about work, he held out his hand and eyed the dance floor.
Brooke placed her hand in his and returned to the dance floor, minutes later Clay pulled her closer until their bodies were flush against each other and Brooke wrapped her arms around his neck, their lips brushed and Brooke was finally distracted from everything that she had been trying to shake off that night.
With a hand on his chest Brooked pashed Clay away and started walking away, she turned her head back and kinked her brow, "you coming?".
-x-
It was just after seven when Lucas woke, he stretched his arms out before rolling out of bed, the sound of rain added an ambience of calm to the dim morning. The house remained otherwise quiet, Lucas turned on the coffee machine before looking out the window.
Dark clouds filled the sky, in the distance a flash of lightning cracked and Lucas stared for a moment before he went to check on Noah. The door to the bedroom was slightly open, Lucas gave a soft knock and waited for any sound of a reply, the boy gave a quick "yes?" and Lucas opened the door wider.
Noah lay on his side still under his covers, his lamp on by his bed and a book open next to him, "good morning" Lucas Smiled, "you ready for breakfast?"
"Okay" Noah closed his book and slipped out of bed, when he followed Lucas out of the room Noah was wearing his robe and slippers. His brown hair was in need of another haircut, Noah brushed it to the side and entered the kitchen a step ahead of his father.
"Can we have eggs?"
"Sounds good. You can help me" Lucas grabbed two frypans and began to heat them as he told Noah what to grab. They stood side by side, Noah standing on the small stepping stool left over from when his mother used to need a little extra height for the top shelves.
"Watch out for shell" Lucas gently laughed as he scooped some shell from the bowl Noah was using to crack eggs, their eyes met and Noah smiled back at Lucas before concentrating on his task. They worked together in unison, Lucas watching over Noah as he used the knife, and held the frypan as Noah started cooking the omelette.
Lucas set the table as Noah poured them each a juice, and then father and son sat across from each other. It was quiet but peaceful, towards the end of the meal Lucas pushed his plate slightly away, he took a last swallow, "what grand adventures shall we go on today?"
For a moment Noah looked out the window, a light in his eyes and when he looked back at his father Lucas gave a sigh and a nod, "we'll see if the weather gets better" Lucas said and then smiled at the glimmer in Noah's eyes.
Noah offered to fill the dishwasher while Lucas went and got ready for the day, it only took Lucas fifteen minutes to have a quick shower and slip on his clothes, last of all Lucas pulled his knitted cream sweater over his head and walked through the house in his thick socks. Noah had already finished with the dishwasher and had left the kitchen, after a quick clean of the table and counters Lucas went in search for Noah.
The seven-year-old had already gotten dressed for the day and was setting up Lucas' chess board at the coffee table. It felt almost surreal to Lucas, this weekend with his son, waking up knowing Noah was in his home and going through the day at a leisurely pace without worrying about when he'd be taking Noah home again.
For the first time Lucas really felt like he had the chance to be a father, to get to know his son in a way only a parent can.
They spent the morning playing chess and scrabble before Noah went to play in his room while Lucas spent some time writing. After lunch Lucas looked at the grey sky, the air carried the scent of rain though it hadn't showered for a few hours, "come on, Noah, go put your coat and boots on" Lucas grabbed his own coat and got ready, "do you have your camera?" he asked as Noah came ready to go.
"I left it at Mom's" Noah shook his head.
Lucas brushed his hand through Noah's hair as the boy stopped near him, "do you want to go pick it up?"
"No, that's alright, I will remember next time"
"Okay" Lucas opened the front door and Noah left running for the car, with a laugh Lucas locked his house happy to get out with his son.
-x-
The ringing of the doorbell woke Brooke, she groaned and covered her head with the pillow. The ringing came again, she rolled over and Brooke smiled as she stretched out as far as she could. Contentment rolled through Brooke's body, sinking down her veins, into her muscles and bones.
Brooke woke feeling warm, after a moment Brooke slipped out of bed and grabbed her silk robe, tying the sash around her waist to cover her body Brooke made her way to her front door. After looking through the peep hole Brooke made sure she smiled, "good morning"
"It's one o'clock in the afternoon" Haley rolled her eyes though she chuckled as Brooke let her and Jamie in, "did you just get out of bed?"
"Yes" Brooke smirked and Haley did a double take, she sent her friend a knowing look and sent Jamie out the back to play before raising her brow at Brooke.
"Do I take it you weren't alone in bed?" her lips popped.
Brooke moved away from the entrance, she headed to her room with Haley following, as they walked through her doorway Brooke looked backwards, "you're the one who said I needed to have fun".
It had been five in the morning when Brooke had stumbled home and into her shower before collapsing onto her bed, exhausted and still slightly drunk.
"And I needed it" Brooke let out a sigh.
Haley averted her eyes when Brooke dropped the robe and started to dress, "I'm just surprised. I thought you weren't looking for a relationship?"
"I'm not" Brooke replied with confidence. She slipped on her sweater last and ran her hands through her wavy hair, Brooke span back to Haley, "right now falling in love is the last thing I need or want" she sent her friend an earnest look "but god it felt good to have some fun".
Together they walked towards the back of the house to find Jamie. Haley frowned, "but what do you even know about this guy?"
"That's the point, Haley, it doesn't matter" Brooke opened the door to the back and stepped outside. She breathed in the cold air, Brooke walked to the deck railing and leant over, her eyes found Jamie on the trampoline before she looked at Haley. The other woman's brow was creased in concern and Brooke sent Haley a smile, "he's the type of guy who isn't going to ask any questions or expect breakfast in the morning, when I left his house after a couple of hours there were no complications or promises."
"And you want that?"
"It's all I can handle at the moment" Brooke rolled her eyes, "I have to move on from…" Brooke let her sentence roll away and averted her eyes from Haley's knowing gaze.
Haley waited a moment and then covered Brooke's hand, "are you moving on or trying to run away?"
Brooke laughed, "from what?"
"Now that Peyton's gone-"
"That has nothing to do with it" voice sharp Brooke gave a shake of her head.
Haley didn't believe it, "there's no buffer between you and Lucas now. Can you really tell me that this has nothing to do with you trying to build up walls around your heart to protect yourself from Lucas and the way he makes you feel?"
Unable to speak Brooke swallowed and a small smile appeared on Haley's lips, "maybe this isn't the time for running away from him, maybe it's finally time to run to him. There's nothing-" Haley tried to be compassionate but Brooke stopped her again.
"He just lost his wife and daughter, Haley, this isn't the time for any sweeping declarations of love"
"That's true" Haley nodded, "but maybe its not time to force yourself to move on either"
"I'm not forcing anything, I'm just living my life. I can't be on hold forever, I feel like I've been stuck since high school"
Their conversation ended when the sky cracked and rain began to pour, Jamie came running back to the house joining Haley and Brooke, he hugged his aunt who used the boy as a way to change the subject, "you look like you need a hot chocolate" and Brooke carried Jamie back inside.
-x-
After a moment Noah tilted his head as he watched the father and son kick a ball between each other, the seven-year-old didn't understand the point of kicking a ball to another person and though he could see them smiling Noah could not see how the action could cause pleasure. He turned away and Noah looked at his own father, Lucas walked along with Noah as they discussed nature and the world around them, the boy smiled and was thankful that his father didn't make him kick balls for he found their walks and discussions much more appealing.
There was something about the river that calmed Noah, he felt something when he looked at the beauty around him and Noah could almost forget that he hadn't always known this spot. It was a sense of belonging, similar to how Noah felt when Brooke hugged him or Lucas sent him a lazy smile.
When Lucas stepped away to answer a phone call, Noah's mind wandered to the river. He watched the lone boat makes its way through the currents, it looked so small upon the river.
"Noah" Lucas called, "not so close to the edge, stay away from the rocks"
A quick nod from Noah let Lucas know he'd heard him, then Noah began to walk slowly further down their path his eyes still on the little boat heading towards the docks on the other side of the river. Lucas kept an eye on Noah as he talked to his editor on the phone, slowly following Noah as the boy walked ahead until Noah stopped to look out at the river, Lucas smiled as he talked and came to stop a few metres away from his son.
The boat was nearly docked when Noah heard a strange sound and looked down to his right, Noah tilted his head and stepped closer, and then closer still. A duckling clung to a lower rock, Noah could hear the creature's distress and he looked back to Lucas before ignoring his father's previous warnings and carefully stepping from the edge onto the rocks. Noah bent down and after a few seconds he scooped the duckling up and placed it onto the grass, the duckling quickly waddled as Noah straightened himself to see a Lucas staring at him, "GET BACK HERE" Lucas raised his voice in disapproval and Noah stepped up to another rock.
Lucas sighed, "I have to go, I will send you an email later. Bye" he slipped his phone back in his pocket just as a football landed near his foot. Lucas saw Noah climbing back up and picked up the ball, he turned around and threw it quickly back to the family further down and returned their smile before turning back to Noah.
As soon as Lucas turned his smile dropped, Noah was no longer by the rocks and a quick glance of the area caused panic to course through Lucas as he saw no sight of his son. A second hadn't passed before Lucas began running to the edge where he last saw Noah.
His gut dropped, a darkness curled inside Lucas, as dark as the murky river that was higher and rougher than in the summer months.
"NOAH!"
Lucas spotted the small hand first, not far down the river, the fingers grasping for anything they could find and then Noah's head broke the surface. Noah gasped as air rushed into his lungs but the water pulled him down again even as his hands found a string root and took grasp of it.
With little thought Lucas reached Noah's spot and leaning down he took grip of his sons' wrist and pulled Noah up, and with all his weight Lucas flung Noah to safety.
Noah splattered, his breathing coming in heavy rasps, still in shock the skinny boy began to shake as cold wind met his wet body.
Also shaking Lucas kneeled in front of Noah and quickly removed Noah's jacket and shoes, "what were you thinking?" Lucas' voice shook with emotion, "I told you not to go near the rocks!" Lucas wrapped Noah in his own jacket and quickly hugged Noah tightly, "never scare me like that again"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry" Noah buried his face into Lucas' shoulder.
Without another word Lucas picked Noah up and carried him all the way back to his pick-up. In the safety of the car Lucas retrieved his gym bag and helped Noah dry himself. Naked with damp hair Noah was still shaking on the inside. Lucas gave his son his spare hoodie and socks, and then added his still dry knitted sweater to Noah's apparel, though Lucas was only wearing a thin tee he could not feel the cold.
"I'm sorry" Noah whispered, his face slightly pale and lacking emotion.
Lucas licked his lips before cupping Noah's cheeks between his hands, "we could have lost you, do you understand how lucky you were. I told you to stay away from the river today" the last bit was said with anger born from fear.
"I know, I should have listened"
Lucas didn't say anything else, he embraced Noah again as silent tears ran down the father's cheeks, and he never wanted to feel this way again. Sometimes being a father made Lucas feel so helpless, there was an added vulnerability to being a parent where so much of your world is wrapped up in your child and how they are.
"It's okay, Dad, it's okay" Noah whispered with confidence, he rubbed Lucas' back, "I'm alright, everything is okay".
-x-
The doorbell rang and Lucas opened the door expecting to see Brooke, his eyes met a clear view of the street and Lucas looked down. Jamie stood with a cheeky smile, rocking back and forth on his heels, "hi, Uncle Lucas"
"Jimmy-Jam, what are you doing here?"
"I'm with Aunt Brooke. Momma had to go to work and Aunt Brooke and I watched soaps and had hot chocolate with marshmallows"
"No wonder you're smiling" Lucas ruffled his nephew's hair and looked over to the driveway where Brooke was walking around the car towards them. Brooke was bundled up, her soft waves covering most of her face blocking her eyes from him yet Lucas sensed she was avoiding looking at him and felt he knew Brooke well enough to recognise the guilt that she wore.
"Hi, Brooke"
"Hi, Luke. How's Noah been?"
Lucas waited a moment and then told Jamie to go find his cousin, stepping outside Lucas closed the door behind him and what ever had Brooke averting her gaze from his had disappeared. The brunette looked straight at Lucas with her hazel green eyes, they looked greener with the storm clouds behind her, Lucas swallowed, "he's fine, he's been great-"
"But?" Brooke crossed her arms.
"There was an incident today. While we were on our walk, Noah's okay, I think my reaction shook him more than anything but he's okay" as he spoke, he saw the confusion and worry flicker in Brooke's eyes and quickly explained, "I'd told him to stay away from the edge but Noah slipped into the river when he went to save a stranded duckling" he gave a sad chuckle. "It was the scariest minute of my life, Brooke, I thought my heart had leapt out of my chest. I yelled at him when I pulled him out"
"Is he hurt?"
"No but if he wasn't such a strong swimmer it could have been a very different story"
She hesitated, "are you okay?"
"I'm fine"
For a long moment neither spoke again, their eyes remained locked on each other, and then Brooke parted her lips before closing them again. Lucas blinked, the break in eye contact was all that was needed for Brooke to compose herself and she stepped back turning to stand on her side, "I'm sure Noah understands your reaction" she turned her head to look at the door behind Lucas, "I'll talk to him when we get home."
They were silent for another moment before Jamie opened the door, his face bored, "can we go now?"
"Sure. Is Noah ready?"
Jamie rolled his eyes, "he's cleaning his room"
"I'll get him" Lucas re-entered the house and Jamie and Brooke followed, hovering in the entry way, the little boy moved from one foot to the other before lifting his big blue eyes up to his godmother.
His innocent voice spoke, "are you going to marry Uncle Lucas?"
Brooke almost choked and ended it with a little laugh, "you and your questions"
"That's not a no" he smirked.
"It's not a yes" Brooke kneeled down and pinched Jamie's cheek gently, "Your uncle Luke and I are just friends"
"With a kid"
Brooke shook her head, "it happens and if I ever decide to get married you'll be one of the first to know but I don't think it'll be to Luke, sorry buddy"
"Aw, then you could be my aunt for real"
Brooke smiled, "I'm as real as it gets" and she kissed the tip of his nose before straightening up, "now don't go around asking people about my love life"
He groaned, "what love life"
"Hey" Brooke lifted Jamie up and kinked her brow, "I might need to talk to your mother"
"Okay but Momma has lots to say about your love life"
"I really need to talk to her then, don't I?" and though she gave a chuckle a frown marred her smooth skin as she placed Jamie's feet back to the ground as Noah and Lucas appeared.
"Hi, Mom" Noah gave a small smile and then turned to his father and briefly hugged Lucas's legs, "bye, Dad"
"I'll see you in a few days" Lucas promised and followed Brooke and the boys out, he remained on the porch as they left, giving a wave as the car drove away. Through the car window Lucas saw Noah and Jamie waving back.
And then he was alone again.
-x-
At Nathan and Haley's house Brooke pulled out the spare key to their house and let herself in, Jamie pushed the door open faster, his little feet rushing forward while Noah stayed by her side.
"Dad!" Jamie yelled.
"In here" Nathan's voice yelled back, he turned to Clay, "looks like you will get to meet my family after all" and his face lit up as Jamie ran into the room straight to his arms.
"Who are you?" Jamie gave Clay a suspicious look.
Nathan scolded his son and placed the small blond boy back on the ground, "Jamie this is Clay Evans, an agent who wants to represent me. Clay this is my son-"
"James Lucas Scott" Jamie held out his hand.
Amused Clay took the hand on offer and shook it, "it's nice to meet you, James Lucas Scott"
"My father's the best basket player in the world" Jamie whispered loudly to Clay.
In the doorway Brooke chuckled and Clay looked up, his mouth falling open at the sight of the brunette leaning against the bannister.
Nathan smiled, "Brooke" he walked over and kissed her cheek, resting his hand at the small of her back.
Brooke returned the kiss, "hi, sweetie. Sorry I'm early but Jamie wanted to come home" and she allowed Nathan to lead her to the familiar new comer.
"That's alright. You can meet Clay, he's trying to win me over"
Swallowing hard Clay felt his stomach drop, he frantically looked between the two smiling brunettes and noticed the devilish twinkle in Brooke's hazel gaze.
Clay then noticed the second boy, "Mom, may I please be excused?"
"Sure, hon" she touched the boy's shoulder briefly before he walked away and then she turned those twinkling eyes back to Clay and h whispered under his breath, oh, boy!
"Hi, I'm Brooke. It's nice to meet you, Clay was it?" Brooke held out her hand and Clay shook it checking discretely for a ring as he did so. Brooke stepped back and slapped Nathan's chest with the back of her hand, the move so casual, "Jamie's right though, Nathan is one of the best"
With a nervous chuckle Clay cringed inwardly as he put on a fake smile, "you don't need to sell your husband to me, I'm suitably impressed"
Jamie began to laugh while Nathan frowned and Brooke smiled, the boy slapped his knee, "she's not my mom, that's Aunt Brooke, she can't marry my dad"
Brooke pulled her godson to her, hugging him from behind, "guilty as charged"
"Where is Haley?" Nathan turned to Brooke.
"Called into work, I offered to watch the little monster. Do you want me to stay here for a bit and keep an eye on Jamie?"
"No, that's fine, we're almost finished here"
"Stay, Aunt Brooke, please, you can stay for dinner" Jamie started to climb up his aunt until he was being held in her arms, he turned his baby blue eyes to his father, "please, Dad, can Aunt Brooke stay for dinner?"
"How can I say no to that? If it's alright with Brooke there's always room at our table for her"
"Yes!" Jamie punched his fist into the air, "come on, Aunt Brooke, I want to show you something" and he climbed down and began to drag Brooke away. As Jamie pulled Brooke out of the room, she gave a playful wave goodbye to the men.
-x-
At his computer Lucas sat his brow furrowed as the search engine loaded its results, the screen went from white to a list of results. It didn't take long for Lucas to see a result he was happy to click on, he followed the third link Conditions for Marriage Annulment in North Carolina.
His eyes strayed to the framed photos on his desk, Lucas reached out towards the photo of Peyton and he quickly lay the frame facedown. Five minutes later Lucas grabbed the frame and slipped out the photograph, he placed it in a shoebox and then went and collected the others that were placed around the house. Peyton had taken almost everything of her own, leaving only the odd missed item or things of little value.
In one box Lucas collected the few things Peyton had missed, some clothes that had been left in the wash, a pair of earrings that had been left on the bedside table, a CD that had been in his car, and a few other miscellaneous items. Lucas taped the box and wrote Peyton's fathers address on the box and then used a garbage bag to collect the rest to throw out.
Once all trace of his wife was out of the house Lucas retrieved the box of Sawyer's that he had hidden away and returned his daughters few belongings back into the limelight. Photos of Peyton were replaced by Sawyer, Noah and the rest of his family's images.
Back at his desk Lucas held the frame that now encased a photograph of Noah on his birthday, Lucas ran his thumb over his son's face and gently placed the frame back into place. Exiting the open window Lucas opened up his manuscript and after a brief pause his fingers began to type, one word followed another.
-x-