A/N Wow, twenty-five chapters without one months-long break between updates. I'm pretty proud of myself. I have a tendency to get really into stories for a while and then leave them for long periods of time. Must be all the great feedback. This will be the first of two updates tonight. Unfortunately I probably won't be able to write more until the end of next week because I have three midterms. Hopefully this will tide you over.

Chapter Twenty-Five

"Hey Peyton!" Haley cornered her friend on the street. "I was hoping to run into you."

"Hi Haley. What for?"

"I need a favor."

"What is it?"

"I'm moving into Nathan's."

"You're what?!" Peyton interrupted. "How on Earth did you convince Deb or your parents to let that happen?'

"We're living in separate rooms. Nathan wanted to have me and the babies close by, you know, so he doesn't miss anything important."

"Wow, I never thought I'd see the day that Nathan Scott got soft. SO what's the favor?"

"Well I've packed all my stuff but I need help moving it over there and unpacking it. I was hoping if I bribed you with free food you'd be willing to volunteer."

"Sure. Have you asked Luke?"

"No, I was going to but then I thought it might be awkward you know. Plus he's going to flip when he finds out I'm moving into Nathan's house."

"Maybe but if he got over Nathan getting you pregnant this will be a piece of cake right. Why don't I ask him? It will be good for the four of us to spend some time together."

"All right. So how are you and Luke anyway?"

"Good. We're taking things slow this time, you know, so there's not so much pressure and drama. He really does make me happy."

"Good. You both deserve it."

"Anyway, speaking of Luke, I'm supposed to go meet him. What time do you want us there tomorrow?" ""Um.say seven."

Peyton chuckled. "You're getting Nathan out of bed before noon on a weekend when there's no practice? Bet he'll love that."

Haley smiled. "He's going to have to get used to it. Might as well start now."

"True. See you tomorrow."

Ten minutes later, Brooke walked up to Haley. "Tutor- um Haley, you got a minute?"

"I guess. What do you want Brooke?" Her tone was icy.

"I deserved that. I know what I did was wrong and I have no right to ask your forgiveness but I'm asking anyway. I want to be your friend and Nathan's friend. I mean, who else is going to give those babies fashion advice? Come on.please you can't hate me forever. You're too nice for that."

"But I can try. Why now Brooke?"

"Because I was sitting at home alone and it hit me that I have alienated everyone that means anything to me. I mean sure my fellow cheerleaders still envy me and most of the guys still want to sleep with me and a few months ago that'd have been enough but it feels empty now. I see the friendship developing between you and Peyton and even Lucas and Nathan and it makes me jealous. I want to be a part of that circle."

Haley looked at Brooke carefully. The girl really did seem sincere. "All right. Peyton and Lucas and Nathan are all helping me move into Nathan's house tomorrow. You can help if you want."

Brooke initially cringed at the idea of manual labour than shrugged. "Okay. Wait.you're moving in with Nathan?"

"Long story and if you behave, maybe I'll tell you tomorrow. In the meantime, not a word to anyone."

"I swear. I won't breathe a word."

"Oh, and we're starting at seven sharp so be at my house on time."

Brooke groaned. "All right."

The Next Day

Brooke arrived at Haley's house at five to seven, without makeup and her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail.

"Good morning Brooke." Haley said when she answered the door.

"Ugh. I was barely aware that there was such a time as seven am on the weekend. How can you be so cheerful this early?"

"I sued to meet Nathan at the docks at seven for tutoring every morning. This is practically like sleeping in. Come on it. I've made coffee."

"Oh thank God. I tried making some at home but I couldn't figure out all the knobs and buttons and stuff."

Haley laughed. "Nathan's upstairs showering. Lucas and Peyton should be here any minute."

"Your parents let Nathan spend the night?"

"Are you kidding? I convinced them that it would be more convenient if he slept here so that we could get an early start. They made him sleep on the couch."

"And it wasn't a comfortable couch either." Nathan said, coming down the stairs. "I had a spring poking into my back all night."

"Aww, poor baby." Haley said, rubbing his neck. "That better?"

"A little. Brooke, I didn't know you were coming."

"Haley invited me. I hope that's okay."

"Sure it's fine. Fewer boxes for me to carry."

The door opened and Lucas walked in, his arm draped around Peyton's shoulders. "You better appreciate this Hales." He yawned.

"Of course I do. The boxes are all in my room. We might as well get started." She lead them upstairs and went to pick up a box but Nathan stopped her.

"I've got that."

"It's okay Nathan."

"No it's not. I don't want you lifting heavy boxes. Back me up here Luke?"

Luke could tell Haley was fuming; he knew his best friend hated people doing things for her. "I'm staying out of this."

"Come on Haley." Brooke stepped in. "You're being given a chance to stand around giving us orders while we do all the work. If I were you, I'd just enjoy it. You have to endure all kinds of discomforts and inconveniences with this pregnancy, might as well milk the benefits for all their worth."

Haley looked at Nathan and saw that he wouldn't be backing down. "Fine. Nathan, since you're so determined to be chivalrous, why don't you take that box over there." She pointed to a box labelled 'hard-covers'.

Nathan smiled. "Sure." He lifted the box, trying not to let on how heavy it was.

Luke laughed.

"I wouldn't laugh If I were you Luke. You can have that box." She pointed to the one labelled 'rock collection'.

This time Brook and Peyton both laughed. Lucas glared at them but picked up the box.

"Well that was fun.' Brooke grinned. "What do you want us to do?"

"You know, we could be mean and make the guys do all the work while we go over and organize my new room."

"That's evil." Peyton said. "I love it."

"Me too," agreed Brooke. "I'll drive."

Lucas and Nathan watched the girls drive away. "I get the feeling they've just stuck us with all the work." Nathan laughed.

"Yeah, I figured that. Well, let's get this over with."

Several hours later Haley was all moved in and unpacked. The five of them sat on the floor, exhausted.

"I'm starving," commented Haley.

"You're always starving," joked Nathan.

"Hey, I'm eating for three here, what's your excuse?"

"Good point. Why don't we order a couple of pizzas, have a little room- warming party?"

"That's a good idea," Luke agreed. The girls nodded.

Nathan picked up the phone. "Okay, what do we want? Everyone can pick two toppings." "Hmm.anchovies and pickles," said Haley.

The others cringed. "How about Haley gets her own pizza?" Nathan suggested.

"Good idea," said Lucas. "Bacon and pineapple."

"Mushroom and green peppers," added Peyton.

"Tomatoes and olives," Brooke contributed.

"And I'll have pepperoni and sausage. So how about we get two mediums, one bacon, pineapple, pepperoni and sausage and one mushroom, green peppers, tomatoes and olives and then a small anchovies and pickles for Hales."

"Medium for me too please." Nathan looked at her. "They're hungry," she shrugged.

"Okay," he dialled the number. "Yeah, hi can I get three medium pizzas to be delivered please. One with bacon, pineapple, sausage and pepperoni, one with mushrooms, green peppers, tomatoes and olives and one with anchovies and pickles. Yeah you heard right, anchovies and pickles. Don't ask. Forty minutes? Okay thanks."

"They didn't think much of your pizza."

"Meh, everybody's a critic."

"I can't believe how much work we did in one day. Whare's the babies' room going to be?" Peyton asked.

"Next door, between mine and Nathan's rooms. That way they'll keep us both up at night."

"You should put the crib on Nathan's side." Brooke suggested.

"Good idea." She grinned at Nathan.

Nathan threw up his arms in defeat. "I'm out numbered. Luke, help me out here."

"Once again, I'm staying out of this."

"Some brother you are. Have it your way but don't think I won't call you at three in the morning just out of spite."

Lucas shrugged. "I'm a sound sleeper."

Haley laughed. "He is. The guy could sleep through a tornado."

"So while we're waiting, how about a game of truth or dare?" Brooke suggested.

"I don't know Brooke," cautioned Nathan.

"Come on. It'll be fun. I'll be good, I promise."

"I'm in," said Haley.

"Me too."

"Yeah, I'll play."

"All right then," conceded Nathan. "Brooke, you go first."

"My pleasure. Nathan, truth or dare?"

Nathan thought for a moment and decided there wasn't much about him that the other people in the room didn't already know. "Truth."

"What's you're biggest regret."

"Leaving Haley." He answered without hesitation.

"What? When did you."

"Several weeks ago now. Long story but I freaked and was going to skip town. Lucas talked some sense into me."

"Oh."

"That makes it my turn right? Luke, truth or dare?"

"Uh.dare." Lucas responded, not quite prepared for what sort of question Nathan might ask.

"I dare you to read some of this." He pulled one of Haley's pregnancy books off the shelf and flipped to the chapter he wanted. "Start here."

Lucas started reading, occasionally cringing and even ewwing at some points. When he'd read enough, he turned to Haley. "how have you not killed him yet?"

Haley laughed. "Just be grateful. I made him read the whole thing."

Nathan shuddered at the memory. "And believe me it wasn't pretty. Your turn Luke."

"Okay. Brooke, truth or dare." "Dare."

"I dare you to call Jake and tell him you're secretly in love with him."

"What?" Brooke went bright red and glared at Peyton. "You told him?"

"It was an accident. Come on Brooke, you've been dared to do way worse than this." She handed her the phone.

"Fine." She dialled Jake's number. "Hi Jake? It's Brooke. Um. there's soemthing I've been wanting to tell you. See, the thing is, I kind of have feelings for you. You don't have to believe me or anything but I think I kind of love you." As soon as the words were out, the hung up the phone. "Oh God."

"See, that wasn't so bad?"

"Are you kidding? He's going to think I'm nuts."

"Brooke, he already knows you're nuts."

Brook feigned insult. "And you call yourself a friend, hmpf. Haley, truth or dare."

"Uh.dare."

"I was hoping you'd say that. I dare you to let me choose an outfit for you."

Haley nodded, figuring she got off easy. "Peyton?"

"Truth."

"Does Lucas really drool?"

"Like a teething baby." Peyton laughed. "You didn't know that?"

"Nope, always heard rumours though."

"Hey, that's not fair."

"Nathan, truth or dare."

"Dare."

"I dare you to sing Haley the song you told me makes you think of her."

Nathan glared at Peyton.

"Just sing it Nathan. Here," she picked up the guitar Haley'd bought but never learned to play. "I'll accompany you."

Haley took a deep breathe and began to sing.

Oh, oh, oh, oh -

It must have been cold there in my shadow,

to never have sunlight on your face.

You were content to let me shine, that's your way.

You always walked a step behind.

So I was the one with all the glory,

while you were the one with all the strength.

A beautiful face without a name for so long.

A beautiful smile to hide the pain.

Did you ever know that you're my hero,

and everything I would like to be?

I can fly higher than an eagle,

for you are the wind beneath my wings.

It might have appeared to go unnoticed,

but I've got it all here in my heart.

I want you to know I known the truth, of course I know it.

I would be nothing without you.

Did you ever know that you're my hero?

You're everything I wish I could be.

I could fly higher than an eagle,

for you are the wind beneath my wings.

Did I ever tell you you're my hero?

You're everything, everything I wish I could be.

Oh, and I, I could fly higher than an eagle,

for you are the wind beneath my wings,

'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

Oh, the wind beneath my wings.

You, you, you, you are the wind beneath my wings.

Fly, fly, fly away. You let me fly so high.

Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.

Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.

Fly, fly, fly high against the sky,

so high I almost touch the sky.

Thank you, thank you,

thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings.

(now try to imagine Nathan/James Lafferty singing that song ()

As Nathan was singing the last chorus the doorbell rang. "Pizza's here."

A few minutes later, they were gathered around the kitchen table eating pizzas.

"You know what I was thinking?" Brooke asked.

"What?"

"I don't think I've ever played a game of truth or dare that tame."

"I know," said Nathan, putting his arm around Haley. "I guess we're getting old."