Disclaimer: I still don't own anything but if I did the show would have gone a very different way.

Hey, it's always hard to rewrite a chapter and try to include everything from the original, little details are going to be missed but I tried to keep it simple. So here is the long awaited twenty-fifth chapter. Thank you all for your patience and well-wishes. Thanks to all those who reviewed.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Walking into the kitchen, Millie carried the large cake box, "am I late?" her hurried voice asked. Brooke took the box and laid it carefully on the counter, both women waited as Brooke slowly opened the box.

Millie gasped, "oh, it's amazing!" and then she straightened her large glasses, "and extremely creepy. I can't believe Noah is eight already"

"Me either" Brooke pouted slightly, "it's all going so fast". The thought scared Brooke, she'd missed over six years of Noah's childhood and time seemed to only go faster since he was returned to her care, "but he's not technically eight for another nine days. Thanks for picking up the cake"

"My pleasure"

Brooke gave the cake one last look. The giant tarantula was surprisingly lifelike and Brooke was more than impressed with the cake and hoped Noah would love it as well, she carefully closed the lid and turned back to the crate of gift bags she'd spent all night with Sam creating, "I'll leave these here" she muttered to herself.

Millie looked around, "anything else I can help with?"

"Let's see how it's going outside" Brooke headed to the back with Millie by her side, when they stepped outside Brooke's yard had been transformed. The animal farm had the usual farm animals and pony rides though Brooke had asked for more exotic animals more to Noah's liking. An area for the reptile show later was already being set up, and the large alligator themed bouncy castle was in the process of being inflated, the slides on one side started to take shape.

The pool had various animal themed toys and inflatables placed ready and waiting for the guests, and Millie couldn't help but gasp again, "wow"

"My parents never did anything to celebrate my birthday, I might be overcompensating" Brooke confessed.

Victoria's dull voice came from their right, she stood on the deck fussing over the food tables, "really Brooke, everyone said we spoiled you and yet you complain you didn't get some silly party"

"Hello Mother" Brooke smiled and her eyes twinkled at Millie as they both rolled their eyes.

Chin high Victoria moved one of the centrepieces an inch and then glided over to Brooke to kiss her daughter's cheek, "it seems another thing I must apologise for. Perhaps it would have been fun. You look as beautiful as ever, darling" Victoria said in way of hello and then she looked to Millie, "hello, Mindy, can you please find the caterer and tell them the ice boxes need filling. We can't very well serve our guests warm beverages" she fluffed her dark hair.

"Right away" Millie quickly ran off before Brooke could say anything, she gave her mother an exasperated look, "you know her name is Millie"'

"Of course, but I have a reputation to keep"

"It's so good to have you back in town Mother, though we are flying out to New York tomorrow so I don't know why you came"

"And miss Noah's party, he sent me the invitation himself" her chin got higher, "I don't see your father here"

"He's busy, work is really hectic" Brooke defended her father, an old habit, "and it's not Noah's actual birthday"

"Yes, that's only once a year, I suppose a good enough reason he has only bothered to meet Noah twice" Victoria sneered though her attention quickly changed, "look at these balloons, the animals could have done a better arrangement" her arms went up in the air and then she went chasing one of the party planners Brooke had hired.

There wasn't much for Brooke to do now, the guests would start arriving in ten minutes and things had gone according to plan all day. Enjoying the sun Brooke took in a deep breath, summer was her favourite season by far, the weather was perfect and Brooke felt at ease. Life was good, Brooke couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so good for so long, Tree Hill seemed to be taking a break from its usual drama.

"Hi"

Brooke couldn't help the smile as she turned to greet Lucas, "hi, yourself, you're late by the way"

"You told me you had it all covered" and he reached out to hug Brooke, when they pulled apart his arm hovered behind her as they looked out to the party, "it looks great"

"Thanks" she spun around and stepped away, her eyes narrowing, "where's Noah?"

"He ran into Sam and… well-"

"Aw, Luke, he adores you too"

"Yes, but I don't have homework for him to spellcheck" he paused in thought, "though perhaps he can edit my drafts"

Brooke laughed, "he'd love that"

"What's so funny?" Haley interrupted them as she and Nathan walked up with Jamie.

"Just thinking of hiring Noah as my new editor" Lucas explained. They all exchanged greetings with Brooke giving Jamie a kiss last, he leant against his godmother and bounced his bottom against her knees absentmindedly.

Lucas looked behind Haley and Nathan, a question in his eyes, and then he smiled, "just you three?"

"Who else you expecting?"

"No one" Lucas shook his head.

Brooke dragged Jamie with her as she began to walk away, "I'm going to go find Sam and Noah so we can start greeting everyone" and she left the others.

Alone with Nathan and Haley, Lucas placed his hands in his pockets, "Brooke's done a great job again"

"I hear Victoria helped a lot" Haley added.

Nathan had his eyes on his brother, "who were you expecting, big brother?"

"No one, no one" Lucas shook his head again.

No one bought his denial and Haley rolled her eyes, "oh Luke, we see right through you. Brooke didn't invite Clay. He hadn't even met Noah until Jamie's party and he doesn't know who he is, that macho act you pulled was so embarrassing"

"I was very polite" Lucas protested.

"You sent him evils the whole party and almost broke his hand when you shook it" Nathan laughed at his brother.

Even though Lucas knew Nathan was making fun of him, he couldn't help but chuckle back. Haley looked between the brothers and she smiled contently, happy at their joy and grateful to see smiles on both their faces.

The brothers started teasing each other, eventually laughing loud enough Victoria made a comment as she walked by. Lucas sent Brooke's mother a nonchalant smile in response before excusing himself to greet a group of children and their parents from Noah's school.

-x-

They stood side by side, one short and stocky; the other tall and lanky, one with brown hair and the other dark blonde. Noah's expression was blank while Jamie's lip was curled up, the boys had their eyes on the long line of children waiting for pony rides.

"I'm going to go back to the snakes" Noah gave a small nod to himself and waited a moment for Jamie as they both turned away.

"Let's hoof it out of here" Jamie smiled to himself and their feet moved faster towards the other animals.

Another boy, tall and blonde, was standing with a thin python over his shoulders, "hello, Zane" Noah greeted the other child.

"Hi, Noah. Have you met Donatello?" Zane sent a bright smile to Noah and gently lifted the python. The handler guided the boy and gently warned Noah and Jamie to not touch the head or tail. Noah stroked the snake first and then Jamie quickly had a turn.

A flash went off, Brooke lifted her camera a second time, "say cheese" and the three boys looked to the camera.

"You want me to take a photo of you and Noah?" a voice shocked Brooke from behind her, she turned with a gasp and then placed a hand on Brick's shoulder.

"You scared me" her heart beat relaxed and Brooke sent a dimpled smile at Brick, "do you mind?"

"Of course not" he took the camera.

"Mom, would you like to hold Donatello?"

"Ah… I'm good" Brooke eyed the snake as the handler passed it from Jamie back to Noah, Brooke moved as close to Noah as she could while still being as far away from the snakes head as possible, "this is nice" she tried to keep her smile on.

Noah held in a laugh at his mother's panic, his face remained calm "just breathe" the boy instructed and Brooke began to relax. For a moment she closed her eyes, the world vanished around her, and Brooke focused on the smell of Noah next to her and her own steady heartbeat, she opened her eyes and Brooke shuffled closer to Noah, her arm wrapped around his waist.

The flash lit up and Brooke waited an extra few seconds before she stood up and retrieved her camera, "thanks for that"

"You're welcome" Brick turned his attention to the boys, silently speaking to his son who instantly rolled his eyes and stepped away from the snake as the handler took it away to show a new group of children. He turned back to Brooke, "and I should thank you, for letting me bring all the kids"

"Of course, the more the merrier. Your girls are so sweet anyway, its my pleasure" Brooke smiled warmly, she was thrilled that all the children were having a great time and the sound of children's joy was always welcome in her home. This was what she had always dreamt off.

"How do you do it?" Brick's question brought Brooke back to the present, he looked at her with pale eyes and a look of wonder, "you and Lucas seem so… put together. It's been three years since Cindy and I separated-" Brick clicked his tongue "-and there's still no way we could be in the same room for more than five minutes and yet you and Lucas are always together at all school events and you're both here at the same birthday party for Noah… you guys make it look so easy"

Brooke couldn't speak for a minute and then she laughed, her head thrown back to expose her long, pale neck, her eyes were greener when she relaxed enough to answer, "trust me, easy is one word I would not use" Brooke made sure the boys had wandered far enough away before she continues, "Lucas and I are complicated. It's not easy, I'm sure most weeks we want to strangle each other but… despite everything we've been friends for so long and, ultimately, we get no pleasure in hurting each other and we want the same thing, Noah to be happy and healthy. Our lives are so entangled it takes much more effort to live in the same town and avoid each other, and yes… we've done that but it can never last." her face turned playful, "Fake it 'til you make it"

"That's your advice. Fake it?"

"Yep" Brooke started to walk further away, Brick by her side, "you guys both decided to end it, right?"

"If you can call it that. We fought so much at the end… and we always seem to fall back into that pattern"

"Was there closure?"

"It was three years ago" Brick sighed.

"Lucas and I haven't been together in seven years and-"

"What?" Brick was shocked, "seven years? I thought, you know, never mind"

Brooke shrugged, "sometimes time does not mean closure, perhaps the reason you two always fight is because that fight never got an end. Maybe next time don't walk away, finish it"

"Fight with my ex-wife?"

"Preferably no fists involved" she narrowed her eyes and Brick laughed at the innocent expression on her face.

Across the yard, standing near the bouncing castle, Skills stood with Mouth and Millie, all their eyes darting from two opposite sides of the party.

Millie looked at the boys disapprovingly, she lifted a hand to slide her glasses further up her nose, "it isn't right".

"Naw, it's just a bit of fun" Skills, gave a firm nod, "twenty for two minutes, straight beeline"

Mouth shook his head, "one minute, first attempt, three minutes later follows through"

"Marvin!" He ignored Millie's outrage and looked at his watch, "this is not funny"

Skills chuckled, from out of nowhere Sam appeared next to Millie, "what's so funny?"

"I's not funny, it is outrageous, they're placing bets on Brooke and Lucas" Millie answered as Skills blew off her concerns.

"Nah, man, it's not hurting anyone" Skills eyed Sam, "our boy Luke has been eyeing Brooke talking to Hot Brick, he's trying to act like it doesn't bother him-"

"Yes" Mouth pumped his fist and then tried to casually hide his excitement as Lucas headed towards where Brooke was but got half way and detoured to Haley.

"Twenty bucks to whoever guesses how long it takes for Lucas to go interrupt them" Skills finished telling Sam, "Mouth said one minute for first attempt then three after he finishes, I am two, you in?"

Sam rubbed her hands together, eyeing Lucas and then Brooke, she smiled and her glazed over with a devilish twinkle, "I bet he sends Noah over instead".

They all stood in anticipation watching the scene unfold, Skills swore as the minutes went buy, and then Lucas quickly left his position next to Haley and his hands went into his pockets as he made his way over to intercept Brooke and Brick. Sam groaned as Lucas got near, Mouth's smile widened.

"Hey, Brooke" Lucas' smile was a little forced, Brooke flashed a smile at her ex and then she looked at Brick, they shares a knowing look and he rolled his eyes. Lucas felt his hands itch, "should we start getting the cake ready?"

"Sounds great. If you can get everyone ready I will go get the cake" Brooke looked back to Brick and placed a hand on his arm, "I'll see you later" and she walked off with Lucas.

"Are you ready for your trip?"

"All packed" Brooke changed the subject quickly, "okay, so if you can gather everyone around this table and meet me in the kitchen…" Brooke paused.

"Okay" Lucas nodded and they separated, he headed straight for Nathan and Haley to get their help to gather all the guests up and then as everyone started moving Lucas scooped Noah up, "time for cake, birthday boy"

"It's not my actual birthday"

"Who cares, its cake!" Jamie yelled as he raced ahead.

It was a large crowd, the children all at the front surrounding Noah, they ranged from children his own age to those in their early teens, but the adults outnumbered the children. Lucas placed his hands on Noah's shoulders and smiled, pride filling him.

Despite not wanting to walk away from Noah, Lucas left everyone to join Brooke. She nodded to the caterer near her and the candles were lit, Brooke stepped closer to Lucas and smiled warmly, "you ready, dad?"

He reached out a hand to hep Brooke support the cake board, "always" he winked.

Together they stepped forward, they met their friend's eyes and began to sing, voices joined them immediately, Brooke and Lucas walked closer and closer, their smiles widening, and as the birthday song came to an end the parents placed the giant tarantula cake in front of Noah.

The boy stared at the burning candles for a long moment, and then his cousin's voice broke the silence, "make a wish".

Noah closed his eyes and blew. There were whistles and claps, more birthday wishes shouted out, Noah didn't understand the excitement but he smiled with gratitude and those around his and his dimples appeared as his smile widened when Brooke ran her finger along the side of a spider leg and then popped the icing she'd collected onto his nose, as he licked off the icing Noah exclaimed happily, "it's good".

"What did you wish for?" Victoria asked her grandson, already handing his a serviette to wipe his face.

Brooke shook her head, "he can't tell"

The cake was quickly handed out as slices were cut, Brooke guilt everyone who said no into taking at least a small piece.

Jamie took his slice and awkwardly stood wondering where to sit and eat it, he didn't know any of the other children except for Noah and his parents were with his Aunt Brooke and Uncle Lucas but Brooke's mother was with them and Noah found the older woman very scary.

Eventually Jamie sat down with Noah and a few of the other kids, "cool cake" he said as he sat. The other kids nodded, and Noah gestured towards Jamie, "this is my cousin, James Scott"

"Jamie" he corrected and took a big bite of cake.

The girl next to Noah grinned, "Hello, Jamie, I'm Nicola. It's nice to meet you, Noah has told me you play the piano too"

Jamie grumbled, "Not really"

"He says you're really funny"

"You think I'm funny?" Jamie's eyes widened and he looked at his cousin confused.

Noah nodded, his face serious "yes, you have a good sense of humour and I like your use of puns"

Surprised Jamie let his plate of cake almost fall to the ground; he placed it down gently and sent wide eyes to his older cousin, "how come you never laugh at my jokes?" Jamie had never thought his new cousin liked him, he'd never heard Noah laugh, the best he got was a smile and Jamie had thought Noah smiled at him because he was weirdly polite.

For a moment Noah was lost in thought, then his green eyes met Jamie, "I don't know, a lot of the time my laugh stays on the inside"

Nicola grinned, "I like it when you laugh on the inside, your eyes twinkle" and then her cheeks turned red and the subject quickly changed. Something changed inside Jamie, his body relaxed, and he sent a large smile to Noah seeing his cousin in a whole new light.

-x-

Brooke looked away from Haley and up at Lucas, she couldn't help but laugh, "What? The blonde asked.

"You have icing all over your face" Brooke waved her finger at his face, "a little there and there"

He ducked his head and Lucas wiped at his mouth, and then licked at the back of his hand. Brooke laughed again, her hand instinctively reached up, her thumb brushing to the right of Lucas' lip, and the laughter died as skin met skin. It was the briefest of seconds and Brooke quickly snatched her hand away. Lucas tried to laugh to ease the moment, his tongue flicked out to the spot Brooke had just touched, it still tingled and his eyes watched her from the side of his vision.

It took a lot of will power for Brooke to remain where she stood, her hand warm, as she avoided meeting Lucas' eyes as she felt his gaze burn her. She focused her attention on Haley, "how's the new song coming along?"

As Haley answered, Brooke's mind wandered, she could still see some black icing near Lucas' lips and knew he kept gazing at her. The warmth spread through her body, memories assailed Brooke, back to a time when looks like that would send them off to the closest lockable space, and those memories had Brooke's imagination run wild. Haley's voice kept speaking but Brooke's eyes glazed over, her heartbeat sped up, she imagined wiping the icing off with her thumb, then licking it closely as his eyes diluted, and then she'd lick the rest of him getting closer and closer til her lips met his. The sugary taste of the icing would blend with Lucas' taste, which had always reminded Brooke of spices and warm whiskey on a hot day.

Brooke blinked away the thoughts, she placed her hand to her chest and sucked in a breath, "that sounds great" she whispered, her voice broke, "excuse me" and she left the group to escape inside.

The hardest thing to run away from was her own mind and its unruly thoughts.

"Hey, the party is outside, why are you hiding in here?" Sam bounced in behind Brooke, the teenager grinned knowingly.

"I'm just checking on things"

"Making sure no one has run off with the silver?" Sam joked, she pointed outside, "the kid wants to open his presents"

Brooke kinked her brow, "Noah?"

"Well, all the other kids want Noah to open his presents" Sam shrugged.

Abandoning her peace, Brooke nodded and followed Sam out, a smile on her face to hide the nerves still tingling inside her.

-x-

A lot of this chapter and even the last chapter is to show how time is moving faster, it's now the end of summer. Lucas has come a long way since Sawyer's death and Peyton leaving, and BL are settling into their own routine and easing up a bit.