Oops, Chapter Five
By Scarlet
A/N: Any other stories are basically on hold until I get tired of this one and put it on hold as well. At least I'm honest.
Month FourLucas
"Mom?" Lucas sat down at the bar of the café as Karen came out from the back.
"Hey honey," Karen smiled, "What's up?"
"I need to talk to you."
"Good talk or bad talk?"
"Elements of both with added weird talk."
"Huh," Karen contemplated, "OK, I'm up for that."
"OK, the thing is, it's really weird because something that's not…statistically, very common seems to be happening to a lot of people I know."
Karen frowned, "O…kay."
"You know Brooke and I have been seeing each other for the past couple months."
"Yeah," Karen smiled, "She seems like fun."
Lucas chuckled, "Understatement. But here's the thing," he fidgeted, "We're…gonnahaveababy," he blurted out, watching his mother for signs of fainting.
Her mouth opened, closed, opened partway again and sorta hung there in the balance.
"Mom?"
"Yeah?" Karen looked at the pot in her hand, "Coffee?"
"Mom-" Lucas sighed, "Well, actually, yeah," he handed her a mug.
She poured with remarkably little trembling, he was quite impressed.
"So…Brooke is pregnant," she reiterated, "And you're the father."
Lucas affirmed her statements with a nod, "Listen, mom, I just want you to know that it wasn't like, carelessness. It just…beat the odds, I guess. I don't know."
"Are you sure it's yours?" Karen asked hesitantly.
"Positive as I can be without a paternity test. I trust Brooke."
Karen nodded, "What are you going to do?"
"We're keeping it."
"What about college?"
"I still want to go, but I don't know if I can, we're looking into that. Both of us."
"Well, you know I'll be here for both of you and I'm proud of you for sticking by her, though I know you never even considered anything else," Karen smiled, ruffling her son's hair. "Wait, you said this was happening to a lot of your friends?"
"Yeah…Peyton and Haley are pregnant too."
"HALEY?!?" Karen's eyes widened, "I didn't even know she was seeing anybody, she-are you serious?"
"Yeah, she wanted to tell you. Actually, I don't know if I should have said anything, but she wanted to talk to you, except that she didn't want to slip about Brooke and me without you hearing about it yet."
Karen nodded, "Has she told her parents yet?"
Lucas rolled his eyes, "She hasn't even told Nathan yet."
"Nath-" Karen's eyes widened, "It's Nathan's? But what about Peyton? Aren't they together?"
"Uhh," Lucas laughed nervously, "They broke up right before Brooke and I got together."
"So who is she with now?"
"She's single," Lucas coughed.
Karen's mouth returned to its previous state of slackjaw. "They are BOTH having Nathan's babies?"
Lucas shrugged, "He's always trying to outdo me."
"This isn't getting you off the hook, young man," Karen's mouth twitched.
"Yeah, but it really takes the heat off, doesn't it?" he grinned.
Karen chuckled. "Poor Haley."
"Argh!" The object of their discussion walked into the café.
"Hey Hales…" Lucas said hesitantly, "How'd it go?"
"I couldn't do it, he just—GRRR," she stomped her foot with a scowl.
"Couldn't tell who, what, Haley?" Karen asked sympathetically.
Haley looked from Karen to Lucas, "You told her, huh?"
Lucas stuttered guiltily.
"That's okay," Haley waved it off, "I tried to tell Nathan, and I couldn't, nice to have something out of the way!"
"Why couldn't you tell him?" Karen motioned for the girl to sit down.
"It would just be trapping him more," Haley's face scrunched, "He said he had a future planned and I don't want to wreck it more, I don't…I don't want him to resent me," she whispered, bursting into tears.
"Oh, sweetie," Karen walked around the counter to hug the girl who was like a daughter to her. "It'll be okay," she murmured.
***
Peyton"You're in a weird mood," Peyton couldn't help but comment as Nathan smiled for the fiftieth time, only to frown again moments later.
"Yeah," he muttered, going back to his homework. "Ugh, this stuff is impossible."
"Call your tutor," Peyton smirked, going back to her drawing.
"She's not my tutor anymore," he pouted.
"So call your smart friend," she rolled her eyes.
"No," he shook his head obstinately, "She's probably off with Lucas or Jake," he made a face.
"I thought you guys were going to get together to solve your little communication issues."
"There's no communication issue. She wants to be friends. Everything's cool, she's just not tutoring me anymore."
"And yet you still looooove her," Peyton couldn't help torturing him. They had a strange relationship. There was a certain comfort that came of their mutual moving on and yet, the fact that they had a baby on the way brought awkwardness back into it.
"Peyton, we're having a baby. If you're going to act like my sister, we should really move further south."
She smacked him.
"So when do you start showing?" he asked curiously, in what was probably just some kind of lame procrastination attempt.
"I'm practically already showing," she huffed. "I'm so much bigger."
Nathan rolled his eyes, "So you're only slightly underweight? Please, Peyton, you look great. Can't tell at all."
"If we were still together, you'd so be getting lucky right now."
"Right," Nathan coughed, "Why aren't we together, again?"
"Are you kidding?" she scoffed, "We were terrible together."
"Mostly due to your constant drama," Nathan nodded.
"I would call it our constant drama, but yeah, if we have a kid, we need stability, which we definitely don't have as a couple."
"But we were getting laid," he pointed out.
"So you're suggesting that we BASICALLY be friends with benefits," she glared at him, "You're sick."
"I'm not sick. I'm male."
Peyton smirked.
"Shut up."
"I didn't say anything."
"I know what you're thinking."
"That having a purely sexual relationship with a woman that's having your baby, while having feelings for another woman entirely is disrespectful to both of us and wildly inappropriate?"
Nathan rolled his eyes, "So that's a no?"
"I didn't say that."
"So that's a yes?" he raised his eyebrows.
"I'll think about it," she went back to her drawing.
He didn't move.
"It's not gonna happen right now, so you might as well stop procrastinating."
Nathan grumbled, but went back to work.
***
"I need help," Peyton dove onto Brooke's bed.
"I knew that a long time ago," the brunette grinned cheekily. "Anything specific today?"
"Nathan sorta wants to get back together."
"Ugh," Brooke made a face, "That dick! Two weeks ago, he practically dry-humped Haley on the basketball court and now he wants to get back with you? Men," she muttered.
"OK, but I said 'sorta' as in…it would sorta just be more…physical."
Brooke's eyebrows shot up, "Interesting."
"I know it's sick and I should just blow him off, but…AHH!" she screamed in Brooke's pillow, "I reaaallllly want to, am I a terrible person?"
"Yeah, probably," Brooke smiled, "Is he really that good?"
"Don't make me think about it," Peyton groaned.
"You gotta talk to Haley, not me."
"But she won't-"
"Let you?" Brooke chuckled, "Why does everyone always seem to want permission to do the things they know are bad? Hell, I just do 'em," she grinned.
"Is that your convoluted way of telling me to do Nathan?" Peyton asked hopefully.
"No, tell Haley. We pregnant chicks have to stick together."
Peyton groaned, "If she says no, can we look into those escort service things?" She walked dejectedly toward the door.
"Eh, they're over-rated," Brooke grinned, "But the number's in here," she tossed Peyton her address book.
***
NathanInviting Peyton into a purely physical relationship.
Way to go, Nate, you bring smoothness to a whole new level. He banged his head against his book.
What on earth had possessed him? Peyton? Really? He was with Haley now…at least in his head. Sure, she was in denial. It was hard to forget her very clear message that day at the docks. But Haley was a girl. Girls changed their minds and when she did, he didn't need the complication of banging Peyton on the side.
Accepting that he was having a child with another woman would be a hard enough obstacle in his 'get Haley, keep Haley' plan. If she was fine with him also sleeping with the aforementioned other woman, well, there would have to be something radically wrong with her.
He found his fingers dialing her number, not for the first time since she made her little 'we should just be friends' statement.
"Is this because of Peyton?" he asked slowly.
Haley licked her lips, "Not…totally."
"Haley, if I could take it back, I would. I just want it to be you and me, the normal stuff-"
"Stop, Nathan. I get it. But you have other things to think about. We should just be friends."
"Hello?" Haley's voice caught him by surprise and sent the most annoyingly warm feeling through him. Like stepping in a sauna or peeing in a lake.
"Yeah…hi," he blurted out quickly. "It's Nathan."
"Oh. Hi, what's up?" her voice was friendly.
Too friendly. Suspiciously friendly. He didn't like it.
"Just trying to study."
"Wait. What? I don't think I've ever heard those words from you before."
"Hah hah," he rolled his eyes, "What about you?"
"Just getting home from the doc-umm, doctor's office," she coughed.
"Anything wrong?" he frowned.
"Nope, everything's grand, just a check up."
"Well…good," he tried to think of something else to talk about, anything to keep her on the line.
"Well, yeah, it's just my health, but I'd like to keep it."
"You're so picky," he smiled.
The doorbell rang in the background, "Just a second, Nathan."
A reprieve. Subject matter, Nathan, think of something! Baby…Basketball…he tried to think of a non-B word and came up blank.
"Hey, Nate, Peyton just got here, I have to call you back."
"Peyton. Oh. Okay…I'll talk to you later, then."
As the phone went dead he stared at it.
Peyton. Oh. SHIT.
He hit redial.
"Hey, this is Haley's cell phone, leave a mess-"
He hurled the phone against the wall.
Why in his series of non-thinking had it never occurred to him that Peyton and Haley were friends?
What he really wanted to do was shoot himself in the head and eyed his homework with interest. It might have the same overall effect.
***
Haley
"Come on in," Haley opened the door, "My parents are out, so feel free to discuss whatever," she smiled.
Peyton nodded and fidgeted nervously, "Listen, Haley, I have to ask you something that is really-" she made a face.
"Uh…huh," Haley waited, "Want a drink?"
"Do I ever," Peyton muttered.
"I was thinking more along the lines of a kind we're allowed to have," Haley smirked.
Peyton muttered something about 'destroying her dreams.'
"So, what is it about?" Haley poured them juice.
"Nathan," Peyton took a drink.
Haley nodded in understanding, "Ahh…the 'monkey' in the room. TM Brooke."
Smirking, Peyton nodded, "I sort of want to get back with him," she said quickly.
Taking a moment to mentally remove the knife from her heart, Haley took a deep breath, "Sort of?"
"Yeah, he had this offer and my hormones are all crazy and I just, I don't want to hurt you anymore and…God, do you have a pillow to scream into?"
"On my bed," Haley nodded dumbly, "What…offer?"
Peyton took a deep breath, "It's sort of a…sex pact?"
"How Dawson's of him," Haley muttered.
"Haley, he said that you just wanted to be friends, but that's not really true, is it?
Apparently it was true on the level he understood it. Haley's scenario had never involved sex with Peyton. Sex with anyone, really. It just clearly discounted any more sex with Nathan and Haley.
Pervert. Was that all he cared about?
"Of course it's true. We had a night when I thought it could be more," Haley shrugged, "But it's clearly not working out, so what can you do?"
"Haley-"
"Do you want to take him up on his…offer?"
Peyton shrugged, "It's hard, Haley. We meant so much to each other once and I'm having his baby and my hormones are all-"
Haley just looked at her.
"Yeah. I really do. I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize," Haley shook her head, "I know what you mean.
"If you don't want me to-"
"That's between you and Nathan, it's none of my business. We're just friends."
"Are you s-"
"Positive," Haley nodded, "Maybe I should just get an escort or something," she joked.
Peyton smiled, "Hey, I've got the number."
***
"So tonight's the night?" Haley couldn't help but laugh.
"Yeah, we're telling her parents," Luke grumbled.
Haley smirked, "Have fun with that."
"I'm sure."
"I've got another call, just a second….Hello?"
"Haley. This is Nathan."
She had to sit down, "…Hi."
"You never called me back."
"Right. Sorry. But actually, I'm on the other line with Luke, so I have to get back to you."
"Oh…okay."
"See ya, Nate," she clicked the other button.
"Luke?"
"Yeah. Who was that?"
"Oh…wrong number."
***
Brooke
Lucas was on the phone when she walked in and didn't notice her.
"You have to tell him," he was saying.
Haley, Brooke surmised.
"No, you can't just move, I'd miss ya, Hales."
Yes, Haley. And eww, the cuteness.
Brooke dealt with the situation in her own way. She grabbed his ass.
He jumped three feet and spun.
"Don't…DO that!" Lucas started breathing again carefully. "No, not you, Hales… my girlfriend, who felt the need to scare the hell out of me."
Brooke bounced over to the fridge. "Are there any of those tarts your mother made?"
"You ate them last night, baby," Lucas chuckled.
Eyes narrowing, Brooke crossed her arms, "I was obviously not referring to anything I already ate…we just want more," she patted her abdomen. "Don't you want to make us happy, Lucas?" she sidled over to him, kissing his neck.
"Erm, uhh, yes, of course. Hales, gotta go," he muttered quickly, "What can I get you, babe?"
"Can you get me one of those smoothie's from your mom's? The orange mango strawberry? Oh oh, but with chocolate!" her eyes lit up at the idea.
"With…chocolate," he looked at her like she was crazy.
Boys. So unaware that chocolate goes with everything.
But it was missing something…"Oh, and beef jerky!"
"In…the smoothie?" he frowned.
"Pfft," she laughed, "Lucas, that's disgusting. No. I want the beef jerky plain." He was an odd one, her boyfriend.
"So that's one orange mango strawberry…chocolate smoothie and a side of beef jerky?"
"Thanks, baby," she grinned, pulling applesauce and cottage cheese from the fridge.
Lucas gaped as she spooned them into the same bowl and started eating.
"Weren't you leaving?" she frowned at him.
"Yeah…I…wow, you really are pregnant," he chuckled as she ate.
Brooke's eyes went wide and her hand went immediately to her stomach. "You can tell?" she stood up, trying, unsuccessfully, to see her whole body at the same time.
"Nooo," Lucas jumped in quickly, "You look better than I've ever seen you, I just meant your food choice."
"Cottage cheese and applesauce?" she frowned, "I grew up on this stuff. Try it, I dare you," Brooke smirked.
"Umm…maybe later, gotta go get your stuff, sweetie!" he ran from the room.
Brooke shrugged. More for her.
***
"So…you ready?" Lucas questioned with a smirk as Brooke lay back in her chair, contented.
"Mmm…for what?"
"Telling your parents?" he reminded her.
Brooke made a face, "No, baby, never ready for that."
"If it helps, I think they already know you're sexually active," Lucas grinned impishly.
She threw her napkin at him.
"Come on, let's go tell them. Get it over with."
"You know where I can stay when they kick me out?"
"If they were really that stupid, you could stay with me…I'm just wondering if I'll have a big enough crypt after your dad kills me."
Brooke sighed. "You'll be fine. OK…help me up and we'll go."
It took remarkably little effort, so they were on their way much quicker than she felt necessary.
Her heart was going crazy at the thought of them knowing. She couldn't help but wonder at their reactions, though.
"Well, how much do you need?" wasn't quite as applicable to this situation.
"Brooke," Lucas nudged her.
"Yeah?"
"It's your house, you don't have to wait at the door," he reminded her.
Brooke stared at her hand, poised to knock.
"Right!" she nodded, opening the door for both of them.
"You sure they're home?"
"Triple checked the schedule," she muttered, clamping on to his hand as she led him toward the kitchen.
"Oh, hello," her mother tossed a salad at the counter, "Lucas," she nodded, "I didn't realize you'd be home for dinner, Brooke."
"No, we're not- Well, we are, but-," Brooke pursed her lips in annoyance, "We'd like to talk to you and dad about something."
"Oh? About what? Jim!" she yelled, "Get in here a second!"
"In a minute!"
"He's watching the news," she shrugged, "Help set the table, Brooke."
"Right," Brooke murmured, thankful for anything she could do with her hands other than fidget.
"What did you need, Carol?" her father walked into the kitchen, "Oh, hello. Good evening, Lucas. Nice to see you too, Brooke, was beginning to forget what you looked like."
"They said they have something to tell us," Carol shrugged and then froze, looking Brooke over critically.
"Yeah, we-" Brooke shifted uncomfortably and took the hand Lucas offered.
"Oh God, you're pregnant, aren't you?" her mother looked at her in horror.
"WHAT?" her father roared, "That's what you have to tell us?"
Brooke swallowed and looked at Lucas helplessly. He squeezed her hand.
"Yes, we're expecting a baby," he confirmed, interlocking their fingers.
"I-" her mother shook her head, "Let's…sit down."
No one made a move toward the food on the table and silence reigned uncomfortably.
"How far along are you?" her mother finally broke the silence.
"Almost four months," Brooke muttered.
"OK," she nodded, "I'll make a call. A friend of mine does these type of proce-"
"No."
"Brooke, be reasonable," her father clenched his teeth, "You can't possibly be responsible for a child at your age."
"I'm not getting an abortion, it's too late and-"
"It's not too late," her mother reached for a phone, "Honey, this isn't a decision any woman wants to make, but you have to think of your future!"
"You don't give your daughter enough credit," Lucas kissed Brooke's hand, "She will make a wonderful mother. Neither of us want to terminate the pregnancy."
"Marvelous though it is that my daughter has found someone to support her emotionally, Mr. Scott, it takes more than that to raise a child. It takes money and I'm not aware that you have a great deal of that," her father glared at Brooke's boyfriend. "But of course, that must be why you're here. Is that it, Brooke?"
Brooke's mouth opened and closed again and she stood up.
"I'm not getting an abortion, mom. And dad, I'm not here for money. I want your congratulations and best wishes," she tugged Lucas toward the door, "You have my number when you're ready."
TBC